PSG/Chelsea – Barcola on the match, his future and striker role | OneFootball

Wednesday, during the first leg of the Round of 16 (return on March 17) of the 2025-2026 Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain (1st in Ligue 1) will face Chelsea (5th in the Premier League) at the Parc des Princes (kick-off at 9 PM, broadcast on Canal+). On the eve of this match, Parisian forward Bradley Barcola (23 years old) answered several questions in a press conference.

Barcola "we are always hungry to win."

Is it tougher this season, does the team still have hunger?

Of course, we knew it would be more complicated, but we are always hungry to win. That's why we play, to win every year.

Do you understand the concern around the team?

I think we are always capable, we've shown it more than once. We work for this kind of match, we are ready. We will give it our all.

Barcola "We'll see later, but I'm happy at PSG."

Do you want to stay in Paris? How are the negotiations going?

I don't handle that, it's my agent. We'll see later, but I'm happy at PSG.

A revenge on the Club World Cup? How has Chelsea been impressive?

Honestly, we don't have that. It was another period, another competition, it has nothing to do with it. But we really want to win this match, it's important. We've reviewed this team in recent days, they play very well. It will be complicated, but we are working hard.

Barcola "This need will be very important."

Playing a club like Chelsea now, is it when the real competition starts?

We know it will be complicated, they are in a good dynamic. We've worked a lot, we really like these kinds of matches.

Does the team need reassurance?

I think it's very important, especially in relation to the last matches in the Champions League. This need will be very important. Especially for the future, if we manage to do the work.

The criticism on finishing personally?

I think it's not a problem. I manage to create chances, now I need to finish them. I thought it was a confidence issue, but not anymore. If I had more success, I would score a lot of goals. I work for that, I don't get discouraged.

Barcola "Today, I prefer to play on the side"

The position of number 9?

I played in that position when I was younger, it was my basic position. What I can bring are the deep runs. It's something I master well. Today, I prefer to play on the side, but it's a point I can add.

Is it upsetting to hear about a lack of hunger?

I think it's normal given our recent performances, but we don't see it that way. We play to win everything, we don't get discouraged.

The chances are there, do you work on finishing? Is there a mental issue?

I don't think it's mental, I work in front of the goal in training.

Barcola "he gave me a lot of advice"

Do you imagine a future like Dembélé as a number 9?

I don't really know. I've already played in that position. Playing in the center is complicated, you don't touch a lot of balls and you have to be ready at any moment. I prefer to be on the side and touch more balls, with one-on-ones. I don't know what the future holds.

Does Dembélé give you advice on playing in the center?

In the matches where I played up front, he gave me a lot of advice, on dropping back, on runs. Plus, he can send me deep, so he's a very good support.

Barcola "it will come down to that."

What did the coach say to be ready in terms of intensity?

To be determined from the start of the match, to leave nothing behind. We know Chelsea will bring a lot of intensity, it will come down to that. We've worked offensively and defensively, on pressing and the runs to make.

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