Monaco v PSG: Pocognoli sends strong messages, leaves out Dembélé | OneFootball

This Tuesday at 9 PM (broadcast on Canal+) Paris Saint-Germain (2nd in Ligue 1) faces AS Monaco (8th) at Stade Louis II as part of the first leg (return on Wednesday, February 25) of the 2025-2026 Champions League playoffs. In a press conference, Monaco's coach Sébastien Pocognoli spoke about this match and the Parisian opponent.

Pocognoli: "Do the maximum to have a hope of qualification."

Any updates on Lamine Camara and Maghnes Akliouche?

Maghnes is uncertain, he will test himself today and in training tomorrow morning. Lamine too. Ansu Fati also needs to test himself. We have 3 uncertain players. Ansu took a hit, we need to see, Lamine too. We'll see for tomorrow.

Is this double confrontation your biggest challenge as a coach?

No, I think my big challenge is simply to succeed this season, and tomorrow's match is part of that goal. There is no more pressure or expectation on this match. It's the Champions League and PSG, the titleholder with a desire to confirm and defend the title. We have an outsider role, we must take it as it is and do the maximum to have a hope of qualification.

Pocognoli: "The most important thing is the game."

The intention is not to jeopardize the chances for the return?

I think the home first leg gives, from a psychological point of view... there is a history in the Champions League where we take a step at home in the first leg and the return doesn't go as planned. We will play in front of our supporters for a beautiful Champions League evening. A bad person does not remove the chances of qualification. But, of course, it's better to put ourselves in the best conditions. It's up to us to make sure we give ourselves chances.

How did you feel about Dembélé's criticism of the team? Is it a good thing before facing you?

What happens at PSG doesn't concern me much, as far as off-field matters are concerned. The most important thing is the game, mastering their great qualities. We are in another competition, they are the titleholder, they will want to defend it and play with a big heart. What happened in Rennes has no connection with our match.

Pocognoli: "That's what makes the system good or not."

You have several possible systems, are you going to play more defensively for the first leg after the ambitious game in Madrid?

We try to play every match, regardless of the system. The big difference in Madrid was the mindset. That's what makes the system good or not. From my arrival, I said that we have this possibility to change. Even more so if all the players are present. We'll see tomorrow, with the uncertain ones.

Pocognoli: "PSG will have more great seasons."

Do PSG's performances give you the impression of a possible title again this season?

They have a lot of individual and collective qualities. They have been performing well and they still are. But maintaining consistency over 2 years with always high-level performances, everyone has ups and downs. But when Paris has a bad performance, it has other repercussions than in other clubs. It's the life of big clubs, of the Champions League winner. But PSG will have more great seasons, there are great players, a great coach who knows how to win titles.

I think we have 90 minutes to play twice, the context will be different from the championship. If we manage to reach the level we had in some matches, we have our chances. We have to believe in it, otherwise, there's no point in playing. The players want to create a good evening.

Do you like the outsider role? What are the keys to bothering PSG?

The outsider role suits any team facing PSG, they are the titleholder. I think both teams know each other well, it will be interesting to see the mental aspect. We are in the Champions League, we could have had this role against other teams. In the championship, it's often the opposite. It's up to us to play with that, to play freely.

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