“We’re approaching it in the knowledge that we’ve done well in the competition so far. We still in it and we’re getting closer to the final. Obviously that gives you certain ideas, such as wanting to go all the way.”
What are PSG’s chances against Dynamo Kiev?
“Clearly we’re not favourites given their sporting and financial potential. In the previous rounds we were the outsiders, especially against Wolfsburg who are now leaders in Germany, but we still managed to get through. Dynamo have a squad worthy of the Champions League, and they’ve reinforced it again during the recent transfer window. They have more potential than us to, but like them, we’re in the quarter-finals, and we’re not too far away.”
What are the strengths of this Dynamo side?
“They are financially very strong. When you have a look at their squad, you’re impressed by the quality and the quantity. They are a big club. I was lucky enough to visit their installations and that’s when I realised just what a powerful club they really are. They have developed a real football culture.”
You have the suspended Camara and Rothen back in action, but Armand and Sakho are still missing with injury…
“On the left side of the defence, Tripy Makonda lived up to my expectations against Nice last Sunday. He’s only just starting out in the professional team, but he’s already looking the part. With Mamadou Sakho and Sylvain Armand still missing, I don’t have that many options. I can either drop Jérôme Rothen back, like I’ve already done, or keep my faith in Tripy.”
Mickaël Landreau (PSG Goalkeeper) “Of the eight teams left in the competition, we are certainly the outsider. But, having said that, we’ve done well in this competition so far and we still have plenty of ambition. The further we go in this competition the harder it gets and the harder our opponents are. In terms of Ukrainian sides, with the exception of players such as Shevchenko or Voronin, we always talk about the ‘team’. Paradoxically, we don’t give them much media coverage, but they’re always there or thereabout on the pitch, like the Russians. For example, the last winner of the UEFA Cup was a Russian team. Dynamo are a well organised team. It’s not going to be easy.” |
