Pastore: 'We did everything to win our title back'

Javier, Paris began the season in style... was there a particular reason for that?
"The start of the season is always an important period. It sets the tone for the campaign, where you need to show the coach what you can do to gain his confidence for the season. We had a very good preseason, worked very hard and won the Trophée des Champions against Monaco. It's always nice winning and starting with a win gets everyone on the right track for the rest of the season."

You scored one of the goals of the season against Toulouse, Neymar's first match at the Parc des Princes...
"Yes, it was a very nice goal. I tried my luck from distance and it went into the top corner, hitting the inside of the post on its way in. We played very well that day. Naymar had just arrived, lots of people wanted to see him play and see what he could do on the pitch. It was a magnificent performance and I scored a very nice goal and everyone was happy. Playing at the Parc is always a pleasure, the atmopshere is amazing and the fans are always cheering us on."

The entire first half of the season was incredible...
"Yes, but that was because we worked very hard and were very motivated. We all knew we had lost the title last year and every single player was ready to do what was necessary to win it back. Everyone was willing to put 100% every game. The first half of the season was superb, we won nearly every game and played some really great football. THe new signings, Neymar, Kylian, Yuri and Dani all brought a lot to the team, both on and off the pitch."

What is your biggest regret this season? 
"The Champions League elimination against Real Madrid. We were very good at home in the Champions League won every game, scored a lot of goals... and then in the two games against Real Madrid... it was a huge disappointment. We had the potential to go through, we knew that we could score the two goals we needed in the return leg, without conceding. But in the end, they were just too strong. Real Madrid are one of the best sides every year and they're in the final again this season. We need to keep working hard, keep improving the little details for this type of tie and hopefully reach the semi-finals or the final ourselves one day."

Paris completed a quadruple with the win over third-division Les Herbiers in the Coupe de France... a great day to celebrate football...
"It was special because everyone was saying that it was no contest, that we would win easily, but once the game started it was a different story. I was on the bench in the first half and it was anything but easy. Les Herbiers played very well and caused us a lot of problems. But it's a final and we really wanted to win, like every final we have played. But it was a great day, in a superb atmosphere at the stadium and both sides played well and we won the Cup, and that's what counts in the end."