PSG’s Champions League gamble: Mauricio Pochettino unfazed by expectations, ‘Pressure exists at all clubs’

Paris Saint-Germain get their UEFA Champions League campaign underway this Wednesday on Paramount+ towards Membership Brugge in Belgium and the French giants are among the many favorites for the title as soon as once more however are up towards fellow hopefuls Manchester Metropolis in Group A.

Talking forward of the conflict at Jan Breydel Stadium on Tuesday night, head coach Mauricio Pochettino was relishing the expectations on PSG for the reason that summer time arrivals of Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Georginio Wijnaldum, Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes.

“We all know that we are going to be judged on our outcomes on the finish of this season,” mentioned Pochettino. “Strain exists in any respect golf equipment, and we all know that the Champions League has been a significant goal for PSG for years.

“Possibly we’re one of many two groups to beat on paper with Chelsea given our summers and the truth that they’re defending champions. They invested greater than PSG, although, so they’re the group to beat for me. We now have recruited and now we have to lay the foundations to be a terrific group.”

For captain Marquinhos, no stranger to PSG discovering themselves with nice expectations on their shoulders, he welcomed the brand new curiosity within the group however insisted that it was for journalists and followers to debate and never the gamers.

“We all know strain yearly, particularly at PSG — it comes with the territory. Soccer has been like that since I used to be younger. True, with our squad, individuals speak about us much more and need to watch us. All the higher for us, however there isn’t any extra strain — solely positives.

“Nothing actually modifications. Like I mentioned, you will need to have gamers like those which we have now. They’re all skilled and know the best way to deal with it. In fact, we’re the most effective groups on the planet. I’ll let the journalists and followers debate that. In any case, as soon as a match begins, there aren’t any stars — it’s all about sacrifice.”

On the subject of probably seeing Messi alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe for the primary time in PSG colours, Pochettino hinted that Membership Brugge would be the first opponents to witness the marvel with Olympique Lyonnais in Ligue 1 to return this weekend.

“Possibly we’ll see them collectively sooner or later throughout the 90 minutes,” mentioned the Argentine of the celebrity trio. “It’s doable.”

Though sporting director Leonardo advised Canal+ that PSG plan for Messi, Neymar and Mbappe’s affiliation to be for extra than simply this season, the France worldwide is but to increase his contract past subsequent summer time and the Brazilian switch guru insists that securing his future stays precedence after Actual Madrid’s failed summer time swoop.

“We now have by no means considered doing with out Kylian,” defined Leonardo. “We didn’t like Actual’s conduct, and we by no means thought of it. The supply was inadequate and fewer than we paid. Kylian is the distinction between one thing superficial and deep. You can’t argue with out one thing deep like that.

“I don’t see him leaving on the finish of this season. We now have by no means modified our intention. Kylian’s relationship with PSG runs deep. I don’t suppose anyone sees the long run with out him. I don’t see him leaving on the finish of the season.

“Not solely is he French, however he’s additionally the most effective gamers on the planet. Everybody likes him. He’s a superb participant. Whenever you consider Messi, Neymar and Mbappe — that isn’t one thing for only one 12 months.”

With reference to La Liga chief Javier Tebas’ common assaults on PSG with reference to Monetary Honest Play and his current claims that Actual can afford Mbappe and Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland subsequent summer time, Leonardo advised that it was born out of Spanish soccer’s financial issues.

“Tebas was out of line,” he added. “His feedback appear to me to be extra about him and La Liga, which isn’t in excellent well being, greater than anything.”

PSG are away at Membership Brugge this Wednesday and you’ll comply with Messi, Neymar and Mbappe’s first steps collectively on the European stage completely on Paramount+.

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