PSG/Toulouse – Martinez Novell highlights the difficulties and hope | OneFootball

This Friday at 8:45 p.m. (broadcast on Ligue1+), Paris Saint-Germain (1st) face Toulouse (9th) at the Parc des Princes as part of the 28th matchday of Ligue 1 2025-2026. In a press conference, Toulouse coach Carles Martinez Novell spoke about this match and the Parisian opponent.

Martinez Novell: “If there is respect, why not.”

The referee’s microphone? Does it change anything?

We’re going to talk about it with the team, it’s important. Football is built on the interaction between the players and the referee, between the coach and the referee. Usually, it’s private; now it’s open. We know this referee, we know we can talk with him, respectfully. It’s important to show that communication is possible.

We hope the supporters will be able to understand the sport a little better. We know it’s normal in other sports. It’s the new generation, we adapt. That’s how it is, it’s evolution. I’m here to adapt and explain it to my team. If there is respect, why not.

Martinez Novell: “You have to compete and give everything and, why not, get a good result.”

A special match against Paris, or just another match?

It’s an important match, as I say every year. Ligue 1 players naturally look at the date of the match against PSG. Hidalgo is suspended, it’s a big missed opportunity for him. It’s tough. The motivation is there, it’s a special match. But the preparation is the same.

It’s like last year, we play just after the international break, on Friday. It’s more complicated for Paris and for me. I don’t know whether Paris will rotate more or less. But we all know it will be hard, that defending will be important. But we will have opportunities. You have to compete and give everything and, why not, get a good result.

Martinez Novell: “I play with the possibility of winning. Otherwise, I’d rather not play.”

Do you understand the postponements of PSG’s and Strasbourg’s matches against Lens and Brest?

It’s difficult. I fully understand both views. If I’m Lens, I completely understand. If I think like PSG, it’s something else. If you are the League, you can think about the future or the present. It all depends on the point of view. I understand both coaches. It doesn’t depend on me, we have to adapt.

TFC are often close to getting a good result away from home — is that an important point in your message?

It’s the same at home and away. Against Paris, it’s the clearest example. If tomorrow we start well, but then they score from their first chances like in the 3-6. Luis Enrique had congratulated me, had said it was balanced, but it ends 3-6. It’s important to really be there tomorrow; in that case, anything is possible. Otherwise, it’s impossible in Paris.

Is it a bonus match against PSG? Some teams have won at the Parc — does that help make the players understand that it’s possible?

I understand this idea of a bonus. If you lose against Paris, it seems normal. The probability of winning is lower than in other matches. But, for me, every match is possible. I start every match with the idea that it’s possible. After that, I know football is difficult. Tomorrow, it’s possible. If the match is perfect, that will be good; otherwise, it won’t be possible. But my feeling since I was little is that I play with the possibility of winning. Otherwise, I’d rather not play.

Martinez Novell: “Paris are better than they were a month ago.”

PSG seem to be gaining momentum?

Yes, I think so. Over the last 3-4 matches, they’ve regained that Paris touch. Tomorrow, maybe it’s the worst time to face Paris. But it will be important to do everything possible to make the match even. In the details of aggressiveness, of being combative, Paris are better than they were a month ago.

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