Paris (AFP)

The PSG women will try to "go as far as possible" in August in the "magnificent" final tournament of the Champions League where there will be "not necessarily a favorite," said coach Olivier Echouafni, Monday in an interview with AFP.

Q: The club has just formalized your contract extension for one season until June 2021. Are you satisfied, even relieved?

A: "I am very pleased with the confidence placed by the leaders, whether it be the president (Nasser El-Khelaïfi) and Leonardo (sports director, note). We had a very, very special end to the season, it was a very big frustration. We were involved in all the competitions. Unfortunately, there was an exceptional situation. With the end of the season (in the league), we were all hungry, knowing that we were ready to play the title against Lyon within 48 hours ".

Q: The players resumed training today on the field. What state are they in, both physically and mentally?

A: "From an athletic point of view, I find them rather in good shape and I told them. It does not mean that they are ready. Muscle, you have to regain strength and it will come back with training "They were happy to meet again and we saw a lot of smiles. We hadn't seen each other collectively since March 12, it's been a long way since."

Q: How will the preparation be organized before the resumption of competition on August 2 in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France?

A: "We are looking for friendly matches and establishing a classic preparation, with a lot of work, a lot of sweating. We must put the girls back in a correct state on the cardio and muscular level. We will have to be very vigilant because we don't have enough perspective on everything that has just happened. "

Q: The end of the Champions League will be played in a final tournament, with a single match and neutral ground in Spain. What do you think?

A: "Already I want to thank UEFA for allowing us to finish the competition. They kept their word by doing for girls what they did for boys. It's a great initiative. The formula is different but beautiful too. A + Final 8+ with quarters, half and final over ten days, in two fantastic stadiums. I hope that by August 21 there will be spectators and that it will be a great celebration soccer."

Q: You could find Lyon in the semi-finals. This would be an opportunity to finish the unfinished duel in the championship?

A: "The only stage we can have in mind is Arsenal. We must not make the wrong opponent. We will have a difficult quarter-final against a very beautiful English team that has come to the fore for two years . "

Q: Do you rank PSG among the favorite teams for the title?

A: "Under the circumstances, there will not necessarily be a favorite in this competition. Everything will be related to preparation. Which team will be physically ready? Who will arrive with as few injuries as possible? There are a lot of parameters that come into play and everything is reset. "

Interview by Jérémy TALBOT

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