Just a few days before the Tournoi de Paris, the PSG captain speaks about this rendez-vous, which returns to the Parc des Princes after a 17 year absence.
On the occasion of PSG’s 40th anniversary, the Tournoi de Paris is back. The list of matches is very exciting with: PSG, AS Roma, Bordeaux and FC Porto!
“It’s an honour for PSG to welcome such prestigious clubs, who are coming here to fine tune their pre-season preparation in this tournament, so I think that we will have some great matches. There will be some world famous players present which will be good publicity for PSG. We played in the Emirates Cup in earlier seasons. This Tournoi de Paris will start off the great tradition of a big celebration at the start of the season”.
What impact will the Tournoi de Paris have on your pre-season preparation?
“We will be just one week away from the start of the Ligue 1 campaign and we will want to put on a good show in front of our public. This stage of our preparation is very important. We are going to be able to play matches against some big clubs, there is no better way of judging where you are just a few days before the start of the season. Even if these games are friendlies, we will want to show that we are ready, especially at home!”
Where are you in your physical preparation?
“Let’s just say that we are happy to be back at a more comfortable rhythm! The heavy fitness work is important in pre-season. Players have to go through this in order to get through the full season. When you look at the number of matches we will be playing, we need to get well prepared. We are ready to attack the competition, and for the time being, touch wood, we don’t have any injuries. The coach has everyone available and it is better that way”.
What are your ambitions for the Tournoi de Paris 2010 and the forthcoming season?
“The Tournoi de Paris will be our first real test in front of our supporters. We can’t wait to get back to the Parc des Princes and hope that we can put in good performances and prove to the supporters that we are capable of putting in a great season. With their help, we can get there together. Our final objective is to do better than last season and the Europa League will give us more visibility on an international level, something we have been lacking recently”.
