Thomas Tuchel: 'Difficult to get back into the groove'

SQUAD UPDATE
"There are a lot of players missing for this trip to Toulouse: Julian Draxler, Angel Di Maria, Edinson Cavani, Neymar, Thomas Meunier and Dani Alves are injured, so I only have a reduced squad available. I have 14 players and two goalkeepers. I have faith in my squad all the same. We're going to do good things, even if it's not easy to work with such a diminished squad."

THE TRIP TO TOULOUSE
"A league game at Toulouse just after an international break is always going to be tough. Not only because of the players who are out, but also because the players have to get back into the groove and the style of the team after playing for their countries. But I'm confident, because we had a good training session on Friday with a lot of quality. We still have one more session before going to Toulouse where I hope we'll win."

THIAGO SILVA
"Thiago Silva is difficult to describe in a single word. He's incredible on and off the pitch. He's an exceptional captain. He's having an incredible season. It's our job to put the players in the best possible conditions for them to play to their best. Thiago is a very reliable guy. We have a good relationship. It's important for me to have a leader like him."

MARCO VERRATTI
"Marco scored with his national team, it's incredible. I thought it was impossible [laughs]. He scored again in training on Friday, so it's good [laughs]. We laughed about it a lot, but we have to see if he's able to keep going like that."

LAYVIN KURZAWA
"I'm very happy with Layvin. He deserves to play again. I was a little surprised he was called up by the national team because it came very soon after his return from injury. But it was good for him and his confidence. He needs to have confidence in his body. You see his qualities every day in training. He's back to his best, and the challenge for him is to keep going like that."

LES TITIS
"The young players are very important. They give their all. It's not easy to be a young player at a big club. You have to be patient and impatient at the same time and seize the opportunities that come your way. Nkunku has been exceptional during the international break. Colin Dagba is very reliable at the top level. Moussa Diaby and Stanley Nsoki are also there and I have faith in them."

NEYMAR JR 
"It's too soon to talk about a return date for Neymar. It's difficult for me, but even more so for him. You have to be patient."