PSG Prepares for Metz Clash Amidst European Commitments and Injury Woes

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) faces a pivotal match against Metz, strategically positioned between their demanding European encounters with AS Monaco. Manager Pochettino addressed the media, emphasizing the importance of securing all three points against a team he believes always presents a difficult challenge, regardless of their league standing.

Navigating a Fierce Title Race with Lens as a Contender

When questioned about Lens’ surprising challenge for the league title, Pochettino acknowledged their strong performance. “Lens has shown they are a real team. They’ve won many matches and deserve to be where they are,” he stated. He views Lens’ emergence as a motivating factor in a championship race that is proving to be significantly more competitive than last year.

Injury Crisis Impacts Team Rotation

A significant factor influencing Pochettino’s strategy this season is the unusually high number of injuries within the squad. “What has changed compared to the last two years is our number of injured players. We have three per match on average,” he revealed. This injury crisis limits his ability to rotate the squad, forcing him to adapt and manage player fatigue. Despite the challenges, Pochettino highlighted the team’s resilience as a key strength.

Addressing Penalty Misses and Player Fatigue

Pochettino also addressed concerns about recent penalty misses, reminding everyone of the team’s past successes in penalty shootouts, including victories against Tottenham, Flamengo, and Marseille. He acknowledged a current lack of a dedicated penalty specialist but pointed to a wealth of players capable of converting from the spot, including Vitinha, Dembélé, Nuno Mendes, and others.

Regarding key players like Vitinha and Warren Zaïre-Emery, Pochettino acknowledged their heavy workload but emphasized their consistent high-level performances. While he wants to give them rest, the immediate priority is securing a win against Metz, a team that has consistently posed problems for PSG.

Striving for Improvement and Maintaining Team Spirit

Pochettino admitted that replicating last year’s level of play is “impossible,” but he expressed satisfaction with the team’s ability to fight back from difficult situations, citing the comeback win against Monaco as an example. He remains optimistic about overcoming current challenges and improving the team’s overall performance.

Dembélé’s Injury and Goalkeeper Situation

Ousmane Dembélé is currently undergoing indoor training, and Pochettino assured fans that the club is taking a cautious approach to his recovery. Regarding the goalkeeping situation, Pochettino praised the incredible training performances of all three goalkeepers, expressing confidence in their readiness and ability. He emphasized the team’s trust in each of them.

Source: PSG Official Website