REUNION WITH EX-BARCA STAR IN PARIS TONIGHT
MAURICIO Pochettino insists he is in charge of a happy camp — and that Paris
St- Germain at not at war with each other.
Pochettino found himself under fire earlier this month for hauling off new signing Lionel Messi during a 2-1 home win over Lyon, which left the Argentine superstar less than impressed.
To make matters worse reports have emerged of a dust- up between star forwards Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
But Pochettino reckons there are no problems behind the scenes heading into tonight’s crunch Champions League showdown with Manchester City in Group A.
“The team is happy and
“What he’s done is more than exceptional — and hopefully he can play for the benefit of the game.”
Guardiola knows he is coming up against a side very much like his own, one jam-packed with world-class stars.
And he has told his players not to focus on one individual if City are to get a positive result and take a huge step towards winning the group.
“They’re a fantastic team. Marquinhos, all their midfield, Marco Verratti and then the players up front can do whatever they want,” said Guardiola.
“Messi can play right or middle and it’s the same with (Kylian) Mbappe.
“They have the talent and we have to do it as a team, as we can’t put pressure on one player.”
Riyad Mahrez reckons dumping PSG out of the competition last season will have no bearing on this game.
Back then both games were played in empty stadiums due to Covid restrictions, while Mauricio Pochettino’s side didn’t have Messi.
But Mahrez admits City reaching the final gave them huge confidence and belief that they can beat the best Europe has to offer.
“It is the same teams, more or less, but a different match,” he said.
“Last season was a semifinal, there was no fans, nothing.
“Today is six months later, it is the beginning of the season, the group stage and we are not thinking we beat them last time, so we will beat them again.
“We are thinking it was tight, so it will be another tough game.
“When you win big games like this, you grow in confidence. Our team has improved a lot from this and we are going there confident. (inset) Pochettino
Navas, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Hakimi, Diallo; Verratti, Wijnaldum, Paredes; Neymar, Mbappe, Messi.
Ederson; Walker, Dias, Stones, Cancelo; Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva; Mahrez, Jesus, Grealish.
PARIS ST-GERMAIN (4-3-3): MANCHESTER CITY (4-3-3):
calm,” said Pochettino. “The players are training well and there is a good atmosphere.
“As I have said, this is a special club and maybe we do things differently from other clubs.
Balance
“As part of this family we know there are special situations that may not arise at other clubs. So we have to find the right balance at the heart of the team.
“They are fantastic guys (Neymar and Mbappe). These things happen. There are always things between top players. They are competitors and want to win.
Different
“I have spoken to them both individually and they have also spoken together to each other.
“There are photographs from training of them enjoying themselves. The target is to win. If there is a small incident then it sometimes creates a big wave. But that’s all outside the club. In reality it’s a minor problem. It’s really nothing.”
Pochettino has urged people to be patient with Messi as he adapts to life at a new club following his shock departure from Barcelona.
“Lionel is in a good way,” he added. “They need time to work in this different environment and play together in this different environment. They all need time to learn to play together and play naturally.
“This season we keep this solidity, we concede few goals and that is what we have improved on.”
Former Spurs boss Pochettino revealed key midfielder Verratti could return after a knee problem, although he declined to confirm whether Messi would play.
“Leo is in the same position as Marco. He is in a very good way. I think he will be in the squad tomorrow but I still haven’t decided on the starting XI.”
Pochettino, who would not confirm reports he was set to prefer Gianluigi Donnarumma to Keylor Navas in goal, predicted a tough game.
Pochettino said: “City have been under the best coach in the world, in my opinion, Pep Guardiola.
“They want to win the Champions League and they are further ahead than PSG in that process but we know that in a football match anything can happen.”
Adapt
LA LIGA
2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11 COPA DEL REY 2008–09, 2011–12 SPANISH SUPER CUP 2009, 2010, 2011 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2008–09, 2010–11 UEFA SUPER CUP 2009, 2011
FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2009, 2011
“You need to understand he is a man like the rest of us and he needs to adapt to a new club. Let people work. Let the player adapt and start to feel at home. He was at Barcelona for 20 years. Now everything is new.
“He arrived not long ago. Every day we are working together. He is getting to know his teammates and for sure he is going to succeed. I hope he wins big things as that we are hoping for.” (right)