Désiré Doué, Paris Saint-Germain’s 19-year-old attacking midfielder, stopped off in the mixed zone after the 1-0 win over Lens (video highlights PSG/Lens) this Saturday at the Parc des Princes as part of Matchday 10 of Ligue 1 2024-2025. He spoke of his adaptation to the game, Paris’ ineffectiveness and the work to be continued.
Doué “I’m trying to adapt to the Paris Saint-Germain game”.
We’re keen to see you let your hair down and play a bit in safe mode, what do you think?
I’m trying to adapt to the way Paris Saint-Germain play. I want to help out and manage the situation as best I can. But I’m still young. There are bound to be mistakes and I need to keep working. The coach helps me a lot too.
A lot of chances, but only one goal. Do you feel it’s difficult?
Obviously, we’d have liked to score more, but we conceded zero goals tonight. The defensive aspect is also very good. We know how to create a lot of chances, we’re also very dangerous during games, and that’s the most important thing. Sometimes we’ll put in more and sometimes we’ll put in just one, and that’ll help us win.
Doué “The most important thing is to be relevant and try to make the best choices”.
What aspect of your game does your coach ask you to work on?
Everything, a bit of everything in training, we work offensively, defensively. The most important thing is to be relevant and try to make the best choices at the best moment on the pitch.
How do you feel about the match against Atlético?
These are exciting matches, the Champions League is a great competition for clubs, so that’s great and we’re looking forward to the game. What’s more, we’ll be at home, with all the fans, so we’re really excited.
Doué “There are times when we have to be fairer, that’s part of soccer”.
Do you talk amongst yourselves about the lack of efficiency?
Yes, of course, we talk about it, at half-time we talked about it too. There are times when we need to be fairer, that’s part of soccer. Sometimes we’ll put in a lot more, sometimes we’ll only put in one, but as long as it allows us to win. If we only have to use one and win the championship and the Champions League afterwards, that’s great.
Is the pressure on us against Atlético in view of our record so far not very reassuring?
No, we’re not putting any pressure on ourselves, no more than that. We’re going to do what we have to do in every game, we’re going to try to give it our all and do everything we can to win.
Doué “We need to keep working
Has Paris killed the championship?
We’re 6 points ahead, but we’re not yet halfway through the season, so we need to keep working.
What do you need to be more effective?
Every player has chances, but after that it’s up to us to be fair and make the right gesture at the right time.
Which part of the game do you feel most at ease on?
As usual, it’s when I’m on the pitch that I feel most at ease.
Doué “The coach trusts me, and so does the team”.
How do you feel about your situation?
I feel good, the coach trusts me and so does the team. They’ve integrated me very well and I’ll be getting more and more playing time as time goes by.
Is it good to have lots of chances?
Yes, it is.