Jérôme, how are you preparing for Wednesday’s UEFA Cup visit of Wolfsburg?
“We have the feeling that it’s now the competition really starts. The group phase at the start is a bit long. In general, if you have a little quality, you can always get out of the group phase – three out of five got through, after all. We struggled to qualify, but we qualified all the same. The round-of-32 is good for the players and the fans. The adrenaline will be pumping a little more than the last few games. We mustn’t waste this chance and we have to qualify for the last 16. Obviously, it’s not the Champions League, but it’s still a European competition. It’s a chance to lift the club’s image on the continent.”

What do you think about squad turn-over for the Cups?
“It’s been the coach’s choice since the start of the season to rotate the squad in certain competitions. I don’t think it’s disadvantaged us because until last week, we were still in all four competitions. It’s always tiring playing so many matches. Even more so when you’re playing six games – one every three days. The coach will almost certainly rest some players. It will be up to those that play to give it their best to take a lead into the second leg.”

What do you know about this Wolfsburg side?
“I know a lot about German football because it’s so spectacular. I often watch it on television. Wolfsburg are a club that were promoted a few years ago and are getting more and more competitive. If they’re playing in the UEFA Cup, it’s because they played well last season. This year, they’re still doing well on the ladder (6th). They’re in form and won 2-0 away last weekend. We know it’s going to be a tough game. They’re favourites because of what they achieved in the group stage – but this battle is over two legs, home and away. We have to make the most of playing at home on Wednesday. The aim is to qualify, because we also want to dream a little this season.”

Even though the championship is still the priority, is PSG starting to dream of European success, all the same?
“It might be going a bit far to say that we’re already dreaming about lifting the UEFA Cup. But we certainly want to get past this round. In the league, our aims have risen somewhat, and there’s still the French Cup and these games against Wolfsburg. We need to produce two good games and enjoy ourselves. Playing in several competitions gives everyone a little playing time which is good. There are worst things to be doing than playing Manchester City, Schalke 04 or Wolfsburg! The squad are enjoying a healthy competition for places and a healthy dynamic. The players that are seeing a little less playing time are playing well and giving the coach something to think about. It’s all good for the team.”

Paul Le Guen (PSG coach)
“The priority remains the championship, because, as I’ve said since the start of the season, that makes the most sense. But that doesn’t right off the other competitions. We want to go as far as we can in both the UEFA Cup and the French Cup. Wolfsburg are a very good team. They’ve recruited a lot of players in recent seasons. They’re very strong, but we’ll give it a good shot. I will have to rotate my squad because certain players are injured and you need to know whether players are capable of backing up every three days. Ceara, for example, needs to take a breather because he’s got a little knock on the ankle and I want him to keep performing as well as he has been all season.””