Kombouaré: ‘Continue our good start’

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Coach’s Conference | 2009-09-12 | 15:50

On the eve of PSG’s trip to Monaco, Antoine Kombouaré talks about just what is at stake in the match.

Antoine, how are you approaching this game after a two week break?
“That’s the big question. I think all the coaches are in the same situation as me. We all want to know how our team is going to react after the break. For the teams that weren’t in top form, the break might be a blessing for them and they’ll be determined to relaunch their campaigns, make a fresh start. For us, we’ll see if we’re capable or starting again where we left off. We’ll have the answers after the match. We’ve done everything we could to work hard and prepare well. Last Saturday’s friendly against the UNFP was also very good. It gave me the chance to give playing time to players that weren’t getting enough up until now. I hope that, after the Monaco match, we’ll be able to say that the wo week break did us the world of good.”

How will you deal with the absence of Mevlut Erding?
“It’s a real blow. When I saw replays of the incident, I expected him to have a little something, nothing of this order. He’s out of action for between three weeks and a month – if he’s back earlier, all well and good. I have a habit of saying that those that are missing are wrong to be absent. Now it’s up to the replacements that come in to cover that absence, by the way they carry themselves, by how they play, and especially, by the result of the team.”

For his part, Guillaume Hoarau is available...
“We’ve been working towards getting him ready for this one. I have the feel that he’s physically in good shape, but also in his head. In terms of the play, it’s great to have him and he’ll bring a lot to the squad. At least, that’s what I’m expecting on Sunday night. I’m not too worried about him making his return to action...”

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