Mauricio Pochettino -

MATHIEU PATTIER / SIPA

The pressure is mounting two days before the knockout stages of the Champions League Paris Saint-Germain against FC Barcelona.

A match that inevitably brings back bad memories, especially since the configuration (a large Parisian victory in the first leg) resembles that of 2017. But Mauricio Pochettino was not there, as was a good part of the Parisian workforce.

The Argentine coach therefore refuses to look back.

“We are not affected by this past.

We came here with a free spirit, and without prejudice.

These ideas only convey negativity.

Staying focused on the past limits your future possibilities, ”he explained.

“We come with new energy, we think we have the potential to stay in the Champions League.

In football, conviction brings you closer to victory.

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Win the C1

His optimistic speech contrasts with that of his predecessor Thomas Tuchel, who complained about the uncompensated departure of several executives during the summer.

For the German, the squad which reached the final last August weakened thereafter.

For the Argentine, conversely, the group remains strong enough to win this title set up as a priority by its Qatari owner.

“Clearly, it is the club's ambition to win it.

There are a lot of other teams that want to win it, it's not that easy.

We are aware of our responsibility, and we will fight to the death to achieve it, ”says Pochettino, who, like PSG, has already failed in the Champions League final with Tottenham.

Not the same recipe in Paris

But for Paris, it is not the same recipe that he intends to apply.

“(At Tottenham) we went to the final after five years of work, the time to create a structure that can allow us these ambitions.

We also spent a year without recruiting.

We've been in Paris for two months, that makes a big difference, ”he explains.

“It was another project in Paris in recent years, today we see how to create our own.

It's a different job than at Tottenham, but the objective remains the same, to win, ”he said.

It starts with a good second leg against FC Barcelona.

Espanyolista but not too much either

Thoroughly into the PSG project, the former player and coach of Espanyol Barcelona goes so far as to dismiss the personal satisfaction that the elimination of Barça would give him.

“I'm not a fan of Espanyol who goes beyond the limits.

Winning in Barcelona has a special flavor.

But we want to win for PSG, for our players, for the fans, and finally, for ourselves, ”he concludes.

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