This Saturday at 5pm (CET), Paris Saint-Germain (1st) take on Angers (14th) Parc des Princes as part of the 28th day of Ligue 1 2024-2025. At a press conference, Angers coach Alexandre Dujeux spoke about the match and the Parisian opponent. He emphasized that he expects his team to react, at least in attitude, even if it is against a Champions League title contender.
Dujeux “This match is important to get back to an image more faithful to what we can do.”
A match that you prepare differently ?
I don’t know if we prepare differently. They’re a team we know well, because we’ve seen them play very often in big matches. We know what to expect. We’re getting ready to take on a formidable team at the moment. It’s up to us to get back to our best. With what we’re doing at the moment and what they’re doing, we obviously wouldn’t stand a chance.
Now, if we get back to our level, to our state of mind of a few weeks ago, we’ll be harder to beat. This match is important to get back to an image that’s more faithful to what we can do.
Dujeux: “We’ve got to play the best game we can, so we’ll be stronger going forward.
Is it a case of not taking risks to avoid injury before other matches ?
When you play Paris, there are always risks. There always will be. At the moment, they’re a team that wants to play very intense matches, trying to score a lot of goals. It would be a very bad idea for us to go into a game calculating. We’ve got to play the best game we can, so we’ll be stronger going forward.
Dujeux: “I expect a reaction”.
The challenge is to believe ? At least to exist, even though it will be difficult against PSG.
That’s the regret I had against Monaco, even if it’s not Paris. If we’d believed a bit more, we could have taken at least 1 point. Obviously, there’s belief. We’re having a difficult time and I’m not at all satisfied.
The predictions against Paris are against us, and that’s logical. But I’m also expecting a reaction from my group, even if it’s Paris and it’s complicated. But I’m expecting a reaction, and for us to be better than we’ve been in 3-4 games.
Are there any other benefits apart from the points ?
Yes, like finding a team that plays together, defends together, boys who make each other better. A team that wants to fight.
Dujeux: “Every point, every attitude counts.
Do we need to prepare for what comes next?
Of course. If we had a great dynamic before the match against PSG, we might think differently. But right now, every point and every attitude counts. We need to get back to our individual and collective level, the one that enabled us to be consistent for a few weeks. We need to respond to the catastrophic month of March.
Dujeux “I wish them all the best for the European Cup, because I think this year they have a chance.”
The best PSG you’ve ever seen ?
As I said before the first leg, they impressed me against Atlético. They lost, but it was incomprehensible. Since then, I’ve found this team incredible. They have their individuality, but you can feel a collective attacking and defending together. It’s very impressive.
On a collective level, this is a PSG we haven’t seen for a long time. I wish them all the best for the European Cup, because I think they’ve got a chance this year.
Is the collective the most impressive ?
We’ve always been impressed by Paris’ individuality. It’s always made a difference. But today, there’s a real collective and you can feel that they’re starving. That’s another reason why it’s dangerous to play there.
Dujeux “Whether we want to concret or not, I think we have to do it in Paris”
A team that respects its opponents, a change ?
I don’t know. I think their idea is to look very far ahead. Every match keeps the cursor very high. That’s what I see in their attitude. These boys are really hungry. That reinforces their qualities.
Is there a desire to concretize in Paris ?
Whether or not we want to concretize, I think we’re forced to do it in Paris. I even saw Liverpool, who many considered to be the best team, behind at the Parc and not knowing what else to do. Paris was far superior.
When your name is Angers, you can imagine a match like that. We’ll need to be strong and more effective than we’ve been lately. Because we’ve had our chances lately. Otherwise, it’ll be difficult.
Dujeux “We have to show that we can do better”.
An element of absurdity in what we want to put in place when everything can change in a matter of minutes ?
Yes, but we have to believe in it. Other clubs have taken 1 point. It’s always possible. Even if PSG are currently the best team in Europe in terms of numbers. But we’re at the end of our league campaign and we need to do better than we have recently. Even if it’s going to be a complicated match in Paris. We have to show that we can do better.
Is there a temptation to change your line-up in view of the match and the absences ?
Densifying will be essential. If we go 1:1 at the back, it’s going to be complicated with their qualities. We’re going to have to be able to get some time on the ball, despite the pressure. We’re looking at a team that’s dominating Europe.
We’ve got to ignore the data and the predictions, otherwise there’s no point in going. We need positive signals in this period, for the future. If we do things consistently, it’ll be easier for the rest.
Dujeux “You have to look at the pleasurable side.”
Pleasure against PSG, when you’re suffering ?
You have to look at the pleasurable side. Sometimes, you have to force yourself a bit. We played here 2 years ago, against Messi and Mbappé in particular, and lost 2-1. There was less collective strength back then. Now we’re promoted, we mustn’t forget.
We’ve fought hard to get here and we need to take advantage. Even if it seems perilous. There’s something almost exciting about suffering against a team that looks stronger than us.
Dujeux “it’ll be a party for us if we bring something back.”
Can it do any good to suffer together at a time like this ?
I expect them to do that too. I know that my team can fight and have the extra spirit. That’s what it takes to move forward.
Would you like to spoil the title celebrations at the Parc ?
I’m not in favor of it, they’ll be champions. We’ve been convinced for some time that they’ll be champions. On the other hand, we’ll be celebrating if we bring something back.
Is the timing bad ?
That’s just the way it is. At the moment, there are a lot of little things that mean we’re not having a good time. We need to work hard and pick up points. It’s up to us to react.
