On the eve of Matchday 4 of Ligue 1 against Nice, on Sunday 20 September at 1pm at the Allianz Riviera, the Paris Saint-Germain coach answered questions from PSG TV and the national media. Extracts.
NICE
"Nice haven't changed their way of playing, but are trying to improve it. They are a structured team, which attacks and defends in their own style. We have watched our recent matches and analysed what we have done well and what we haven't done well. We are working on it. We will need to adapt to the changes, because the team that we are facing often changes its way of playing against us. Preparing for this match is difficult because we played on Wednesday. We are going to observe things in training, the intensity, and look at it on a case by case basis. We need to be careful and adapt but it's not easy, because some players are injured, others are suspended and the players are being used too much at the moment."
MERCATO
"The objective is to have a squad that is ready to work, ready to start the league. The priorities are clear, we need a forward, a centre back and a midfielder. We need to replace the players that left, that's the challenge. The squad is getting smaller and smaller, and there is a risk of entering into a period of injuries and fatigue. My job is to find solutions, and to prepare the team for the next match. I am fully confident that this squad will be ready for Sunday."
JUAN BERNAT
"Juan's injury is very serious for us because he is a key player, very important, with lots of experience. He has put in some extraordinary performances, especially in the big matches in the Champions League and Ligue 1. Signing a left back? We have Layvin Kurzawa, despite his suspension, and Mitchel Bakker and Abdou Diallo. So buying a player for this position isn't a priority for us."
KYLIAN MBAPPÉ
"I need to speak with him, but the doctor said to me that he is available, as has the Ligue. We will await the session on Saturday, we will discuss before and after. If he is feeling well, I think he will be in the squad, but I don't know if he will start the match or not. He brings a lot in a match: speed, quality, a desire to score... He picked up an injury and then tested positive. We need to protect him, we can't expect too much of him. He needs to readapt, build up his confidence in his duels, and get back his form physically. We need to be patient with him."