Stress, apprehension, closed faces? Nay. While we would have imagined the Parisians a bit closed before the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League against Real Madrid, Tuesday at the Parc des Princes, it is a relatively relaxed Marquinhos, quick to make a few little jokes, who is presented at a press conference on Monday. So much so that even Mauricio Pochettino, who accompanied him in the exercise, also went there with his little smirk. Suffice to say that seeing the molars of the Argentinian was until then in the realm of the paranormal.
No, facing Real Madrid, “one of the biggest clubs in the world”, according to the Parisian coach, does not seem to scare them more than that. Not more than the last blows of pressure of the Parisian ultras, who exploded the budget banners against the Stade Rennais to express their dissatisfaction. “The demonstrations, the pressure, everything that goes around football, it has to push us forward, that it gives us motivation, energy, explained the Brazilian defender. We, the players, have to know how to manage that. We are not in the worst situation. It is true that we lost the Coupe de France, but we are first in the championship and we have this round of 16 in the Champions League. (…) It’s time to be united. »
Reunion with the middle of Real
Unity is strength, it is well known. And this is one of the strengths of Real Madrid, used to playing with the same team for a few years, especially in midfield. Pochettino will thus find the triplet of Retiro Kroos-Casemiro-Modric that he had already faced in 2017 with Tottenham, with a success and a draw:
“They know each other perfectly well,” replied the former Espanyol coach. Here, it’s a team that we have built recently, and in particular last summer. So players have to get to know each other so that connections are easier. It’s important to create this so that everyone can then express their talent. »
We took this as an explanation for the rather passable performance of Leo Messi, who finds one of his favorite prey on Tuesday: “I hope to see a great player, efficient, decisive, who will help the team, said Marquinhos . That’s all one asks of a great gentleman like him. But we see him more and more at ease, he is getting used to France, to L1, to PSG. »
No Gueye and Diallo holders
As for the presence of the other disappointing Fantastic, Neymar, who took part in collective training on Monday morning after many weeks spent off the pitch? “It’s a very good question, but I leave it for the gentleman next to me,” replied Marquinhos, with a big smile, looking at his coach. Urged by the Brazilian journalist, in her mother tongue, to develop her remarks a little, the defender let go: “I will answer, but I have to laugh first. “And suddenly, Neymar? “He’s good, he’s confident, it’s time to make an effort. If we see him tomorrow on the pitch, he will give 100%. »
Neymar not holder, just like Sergio Ramos, still injured, Idrissa Gueye and Abdou Diallo, who won the CAN with Senegal and that Pochettino considers not to be ready to play ninety minutes. “After a month and a half out of the squad, a week without training after the final, they can be back in the squad, but neither of them will start the game,” Pochettino said. Regarding the goalkeeper, the Argentinian did not want to say whether Gianluigi Donnarumma or Keylor Navas would be lined up: “We have two top goalkeepers and whoever plays, he will have a good performance. “Quiet, we will see that on D-Day.