Check out the main talking points from Thomas Tuchel’s press conference ahead of Saturday’s Week 22 Ligue 1 clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Montpellier at the Parc des Princes:
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MONTPELLIER
Montpellier are a very strong, compact team, used to playing 5-3-2, a formation against which it is always difficult to find solutions. So we’ll have to be careful, have quality and play a fluid game. We’ll have to be patient and not take any risks. We’re in a good phase, and we want to keep it that way. To return to the Parc des Princes after five away matches is a pleasure. We want to win, but it will be difficult against a very disciplined and aggressive team. We’ll have to be smart. We need to find solutions for the team, to keep that winning mentality. That’s the challenge.
THE FIRST MEETING
Was it an important game for us? Yes, it was. Was that match a turning point for us? Maybe that’s going a little too far. We’ve had some good games before, both in Ligue 1 and in the Champions League. We changed our system in that game, going to 4-4-2. This one requires something else, especially the efforts of the four attacking players. They had shown in that match that they could play in that system. It was a tough game, and a great win, but I don’t know if it was a turning point. There are several key games in a season. This may be one of them.
PRESNEL KIMPEMBE
I feel Presnel used his injury during the off-season to take a big step forward. He worked and took advantage of the holidays to recover. He’s been extraordinary, worked hard and was in good form for the game against Real Madrid. Since then, he’s stayed at that level. He is very strong, aggressive, reliable. I think his long injury has allowed him to show a more decisive and mature state of mind. He’s important to us in the way he defends.
EDINSON CAVANI
There are worse situations than being the attacker for Paris Saint-Germain. Edinson will be feeling good soon. He needs to regain confidence and rhythm, which is normal for a striker. Edi is here and is a great player for the club. The fact that the squad hasn’t changed is positive, because we’re used to working together. Everyone has a chance to be a starter. Edinson has missed several weeks due to his injury and then with this situation. So we’ll just have to be patient, and not think he’ll be able to play his best game on Saturday. If he regains his rhythm and confidence, he’ll be important to us. We’re going to help him get back to his best.
