Jocelyn Prêcheur: 'It's up to us to deliver'
The coach of Paris Saint-Germain's women's team answered questions from PSG TV and the media ahead of the UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final first leg against Olympique Lyonnais at the OL Stadium in Décines-Charpieu on Saturday 20 April (19:00). Excerpts.
JOCELYN, HISTORY IS REPEATING ITSELF: A SEMI-FINAL AGAINST LYON! HOW DO YOU APPROACH THIS SITUATION?
"There are two ways of looking at it. You can say to yourself, 'Oh no, Lyon again', but if you want to win something, be it in France or in Europe, you have to get past Lyon. We don't need to reiterate their achievements; we're talking about a giant, the giant of women's football. Whether you're in the semi-finals or the final, you have to get through this difficult stage. Of course, it's not going to be easy, but why not, why not over two matches? I like the idea of playing them again at the Parc!"
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE 'GIANTS OF WOMEN'S FOOTBALL', WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO TO BEAT THEM?
"We need to be in tune, we need all eleven players to be there, and we need to put in a top performance. We know what theirs is going to be like. Now it's up to us to make sure we're up for it, that we really work together and that the team functions well. Individually, we mustn't let anyone slip through the cracks because that would leave gaps for our opponents, and we know they'll exploit them."
"We need to be confident. Our squad is perhaps younger, with less experience in this kind of fixture. Our record doesn't play in our favour, but we have to go into the game uninhibited and free, and not fall into the trap of getting uptight and tense. Maybe that's our advantage in not being favourites, so we can let our hair down, express our talent - because we've got it - and play to our strengths without any second thoughts."