On the eve of the opening match of the tournament, Antoine Kombouaré discussed PSG’s first game away to Montpellier as well as Jérôme Rothen situation.
Antoine, the competition is getting closer…“Yes, after five weeks of preseason training we feel we’re ready for the start of the competition. We’re really motivated and have a real desire to succeed. We’re preparing to be ready for D-Day. We know Montpellier well. It’s going to be physical and we’re going to have to stand up to be counted. It won’t be easy in a full house... they’ll be waiting for us. But the players know it. When you play for PSG, the others are always looking to knock you off. But we have what it takes.”
Are you frustrated about being suspended to the stands?
“No! I’m used to it. It doesn’t change much. The players are the key elements in the match. Whether I’m in the stands or on the pitch, I have faith in my players. We’ll have walkie-talkies, but if that gets on my nerves I’ll just come closer to the railing. The essential thing is that the players know where they’re headed. If there are a few little things, there’s always half-time to get them back on track or give a little advice. But otherwise, they have enough talent and experience to find the solution against Montpellier.”
What do you think of your squad?
“I’ll be waiting for the first three or four games before I form a real idea about their value as a squad. When you play for PSG, you have ambition, for example, to go and win away to Montpellier. I hope the team will fight to the very end, even when we have to dig deep. That’s when you can judge the true value of a squad. It was very interesting to see how the players reacted against Atletico Madrid. We were trailing just before half-time and reduced to ten men. But the players stayed strong, solid and kept playing. We didn’t panic. That’s what I want to see: a team that never gives up when the going gets tough. A team that sticks together, demands respect and doesn’t get walked on.”
How are you handling the situation with Jérôme Rothen?
“It’s very simple with Jérôme. Right now he’s looking for a new club where he’ll be able to play in the best conditions. At the end of the mercato, if he’s still here, he’ll be available for me. What he wants is the most important things at the moment and he doesn’t really feel focused on Ligue 1. He feels that will be tough for him here after what happened last season. But he has a contract and if it doesn’t work out for him, I’ll be counting on him because he’s a good player.”
