Tuchel: 'We adapt'
Just two days after the postponement of Sunday's match away to Monaco and ahead of tomorrow's Week 16 Ligue 1 clash at home to Nantes, Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel spoke to the media about the match:
SQUAD
"Marco Verratti and Ander Herrera are injured and Presnel Kimpembe is suspended. All the others players are available. Not playing on Sunday was a surprise. We had prepared the game, announced the starting eleven to the players, had a tactical meeting and then the game was postponed. I had an idea for Monaco, and a different one for Nantes. But without playing Sunday's game, it makes a difference. We've adapted. We took the return flight and then trained on Monday. I am convinced that we will be ready on Wednesday. We are expecting Nantes in a 4-4-2, they started the season well, with many good results. It has been more difficult in recent weeks, but they won their last game. They're a very strong team, defending together. So it will be a tough game for us, but I think we're ready."
MANAGEMENT
"It's another challenge. Last season, the challenge was to find fourteen or fifteen players and find solutions to stay competitive. We are very happy that everyone is here. We have twenty-three players in training, plus the goalkeepers. It's extraordinary, it brings quality and competition. Making decisions is not easy, but it is part of the job. We must always be vigilant because players who play for their national team play too much. I would rather choose now than have too many players injured afterwards. It's football, we have to make the best decision for the team."
MARQUINHOS AS No.6
"He's happy to play... because he always wants to play! He is happy to play in a very important position because he wants to have responsibilities. He likes it. He agrees with me that it is very important that he plays in this position right now. Can he be an extraordinary central defender? Yes. But in my opinion, he will be a better defender in the future if he plays in the midfield today. This offers many possibilities. He sometimes evolves in the middle, sometimes in between. He is a key player."
IDRISSA GUEYE IN MIDFIELD
"I am very happy with the Marquinhos-Gueye-Verratti trio in the middle. I have the impression that it's a good mix, behind three strikers. In my opinion, it is necessary to mix characters and mentalities. Gueye is a six, who can also play eight as he does in the national team. He can protect Di Maria and Sarabia or Meunier and Dagba who like to attack. I want Sarabia or Di Maria to play high, so he compensates. There are also Paredes, Herrera or Draxler, with different characteristics."