With the start of the new league season just around the corner, Stéphane Sessegnon talks about new coach Antoine Kombouaré and his ambitions for the 2009/10 season, starting with Saturday’s trip to Montpellier...

Stéphane, what’s changed with the arrival of new coach Antoine Kombouaré?
“He’s got a new approach. Paris is still a bog club and the coach is trying to get us to understand that we’ve got a lot of potential, that we’re a good squad capable of finishing in the top three. He’s a warrior. You can really feel his desire to win and that’s what he’s pushing us for. The atmosphere within the squad is really great and you can see it out on the pitch during training and in the preseason matches. We were lucky that all the squad started preseason at the same time this season and we’ll see how it goes on Saturday. Personally, I’m ready, even if I don’t feel entirely 100 per cent just yet.”

Is the team out for revenge after last season?
“Not especially. We’re going to learn from what happened at the end of last season. I think we were more than capable of at least qualifying for Europe. We didn’t do it and that was a big lesson for us. We’ve got a good squad, lots of potential and we have to use that to avoid making the same mistakes we have made in the past. Last season, we started to doubt ourselves. We had chances, most notably against Valenciennes and those last home defeats. When you want to battle at the top of the table, you can’t afford to lose matches like that. Especially at the Parc des Princes where we lost points that came back to haunt us at the end of the season. We can’t afford to do that again. We always want to play in European competition, but this year we’re able to concentrate entirely on the league so every cloud has a silver lining.”


Are you ready to meet the fans expectations?
“I’m ready, just like the rest of the team. It’s true that people are expecting a lot from me. But the most important thing is that the team wins, keeps moving forward and that everything goes smoothly.”

Is qualifying for the Champions League a realistic goal?
“It’s feasible. But it’s also going to be very hard. It’s up to us to go out there and do it, but we know it won’t be easy. But we’ve got a quality squad and the potential to grab a ticket for the Champions League. We have what it takes to have a big season.”

In what position do you feel most comfortable?
“For the moment I don’t have any preference. I adapt myself to the coach’s choices. For the moment I’m playing on the left, but that can change. It’s not set in stone. My personal is necessarily a problem as long as the team is performing. That’s the most important.”

What type of game are you expecting against Montpellier?
“A very tough match. It’s the opening game of the season and Montpellier are going to be right up for it in front of a full house and a great atmosphere. It’s going to be a big challenge, but our number one aim is the net the three points.”