Thomas Meunier: 'A successful season'
The Paris defender, who will play for Belgium at the World Cup, looks back on the season just gone.
Thomas, Paris won the title this season. We imagine it was an important goal for the club...
"Yes, of course, and for me most of all, because I had experienced last season's disappointment. It was an obsession this year to be able to win back the French title, which we did in an exceptional way along with three other trophies. It was a successful season."
Which performance was the most complete of the season?
"Personally, I didn't really get the chance to show what I can do in big matches. But for me, Dijon remains a great memory, because I scored twice, which got us the win in a tough game just a few days after having played in the Champions League. Otherwise, collectively, the 5-2 win against Bordeaux at the Parc, with my first home goal of the season, and the game against Rennes too."
Your goals are often very pretty...
"It's true that when I score, the goals aren't too bad! I would like to score even more, but it's not really my main aim. The goal at Rennes, I saw space in the centre, I dribbled past one and then another. I was lucky to get a bounce, I saw the goalkeeper was out of his goal and I said to myself, 'Why not?' Either it goes into the stands, or it goes in...it was all or nothing and in the end it was a great goal."
In the cups, Paris are on an amazing unbeaten run of 44 ties...
"It's more than impressive. We're aware of our strength and our opponents too. But nothing is ever won before the game. We always go into games with a very serious attitude, with the desire to win. We've managed to set an incredible record, and we mustn't play that down. Winning is always difficult. You have to be able to keep that consistency going, that thirst for victory. We deserve those results, because we work hard."
Which moment stands out the most from last season?
"I would say the Coupe de France final, even if I played just five minutes. It's a legendary stadium, and I have always wanted to play at the Stade de France given its history and the fact that I didn't play in the final last season. For the atmosphere and the victory, that's what I liked the most."