Salvatore, here you are back at the Camp des Loges. How were your holidays?
"Really good. I just took it easy, which I needed, because the end of last season with the Euro was very difficult. Physically, I needed to take a break. I got back to Paris last weekend and I had already started to work on the physical side of things to be ready to go with the rest of my teammates as quickly as possible."

How was the Euro run to the final for you?
"When you have a European Championships like we had, it's a beautiful thing and the emotions are unbelievable. No-one thought we could play that well and no-one thought we would go as far as we did. As for the final (0-4 v Spain) it's a shame to not play well at all. But we had two injuries in the game (including Thiago Motta) and we weren't able to count on all our strengths for the full 90 minutes."

Looking back, how do you judge your first season with Paris Saint-Germain?
"I think it was a very important season. We could have done better, but sometimes we were winning points right at the death. The team has a strong character, it was really impressive at times last season. As the season wore on, we felt more and more understanding and cohesion amongst ourselves and that will only continue to grow this campaign. It takes time to build a big project, which is what Paris Saint-Germain are doing, to have a team at the top both in France and in Europe."

Did you follow the first friendly matches over the summer?
"Yes, I kept a close eye on my teammates via the official website. But during my holidays, I really tried to get away from football as much as possible, to recharge the batteries. Now that I'm back, I'm ready to give 110% for the new season."

The summer was marked by the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. You played against him in Serie A...
"He really is a world class player, the top of the top, one of the best attackers in the world. He is an incredible athlete and amazingly skilful. He is almost the perfect player and he will bring a lot to the team."

The club has been busy in the transfer market, also signing Lavezzi, Thiago Silva and Verratti. What are you thoughts on that?
"Of course I followed all that. Some very important players have joined the club and they will see the team make a leap in quality. In my opinion, all the new players are top quality signings."

What are your ambitions for the 2012-13 season?
"We absolutely have to build, and improve, on what we did last season. Last season, the aim was to qualify directly for the group stage of the Champions League and we did that. In the coming months, we will try and be as competitive as possible in all our competitions, whether it be in Ligue 1, the two domestic Cups and the Champions League. It won't be easy because, physically, it will be very demanding, but we have to try and progress each and every day."

And what are you personal aims?
"My personal ambitions go hand in hand with those of the club. When I signed here, I joined because I believed in the project that was being put in place, that was taking form and I'm very happy to be a part of it. I am very happy to be part of this club that will continue to grow in France, but also in Europe."

On Saturday, there is a very special match awaiting you at the Parc des Princes... against FC Barcelona...
"This type of match is proof that Paris Saint-Germain has changed dimension and is an ambitious club. Yes, it's a friendly match, but it's a match that will test us physically and to measure ourselves against one of the best teams in the world. We will see just how much we still need to improve before we attack the Champions League, that starts for us in September."