Monaco v PSG: Neves on Dembélé, Marquinhos, style and finishing | OneFootball

On Tuesday, during the first leg (return on Wednesday, February 25) of the 2025-2026 Champions League playoffs, Paris Saint-Germain (2nd in Ligue 1) will face AS Monaco (8th) at Stade Louis II (kick-off at 9 PM, broadcast on Canal+). On the eve of this match, Parisian midfielder João Neves (21 years old) answered several questions at a press conference.

Neves "He wants to reinforce what we did last season."

Can Dembélé's words after the defeat at Rennes help refocus?

The environment in this team is good. The group is doing well, Ousmane indeed spoke. He wants to reinforce what we did last season. That's our way. He wanted to emphasize that aspect. I believe we are ready for tomorrow's match.

Neves "We will play the same way"

Can you describe what happened in the locker room after the defeat against Rennes?

A team doesn't like to lose a match, but it happens. Teams want to seek victory. We are capable of knowing that we didn't play badly. But sometimes, we lose. We will play the same way, with teamwork, pressing. That's how we play. We will do it again tomorrow to go for the win.

Neves "We have many leaders, Marquinhos is the greatest."

What makes Marquinhos a good captain?

I think we have many leaders, Marquinhos is the greatest. He is an incredible person, an incredible captain and player. He gives confidence to play without problems, to take risks. He never lets the team relax. He's a good leader. He is always there for us, for PSG. Everyone knows that. Whether he plays or not, he is always the same person. He is a leader.

Did Marquinhos do something for you when you joined the club?

Of course, he tried, like all the players, to make me fully part of the group as if I had been there for a long time. Just as we do today with Dro. Marquinhos is the best example. He is always the same person, with people he knows or doesn't know.

Neves "There is no pressure, it's a match, we have to play our game."

Is it strange to face a team from the same country in the Champions League? Would elimination be a real disappointment, is it hard to play freely with the pressure?

There is no pressure, it's a match, we have to play our game. Facing Monaco has positives and negatives, we know each other. We will play to have the ball and recover it quickly when we don't have it.

How do you explain the lack of efficiency?

We train on this point, we did it this week. When it comes back, the results will change. But I think even if we don't have it, we play very well. And by playing very well, we are very close to winning.

Neves "I feel 100%, I am ready. After that, whether I play or not, it depends on the coach."

How are you doing since returning from injury? Are you at 100%?

I feel 100%, I am ready. After that, whether I play or not, it depends on the coach.

The coach said the upcoming matches are particularly important? Can they change the season?

The coach said that, it's normal because it's a special moment of the season, it's the end of the competitions. It will be a good match against Monaco. They play very well, it's a great club. But it depends on us, on how we play tomorrow.

Has the shoulder pain gone away?

No, I am at 100%, ready to play.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.