Warren Zaïre-Emery, Paris Saint-Germain’s 19-year-old midfielder, stopped by the mixed zone after the 0-1 defeat to Botafogo (video highlights PSG – Botafogo) this Friday at the Rose Bowl Stadium as part of Day 2 of the 2025 World Cup.
Zaire-Emery “To say we were in trouble all game is a bit harsh”.
You were in trouble from start to finish. What did the coach say at half-time?
First of all, I think we came up against a very good Brazilian team, who put a lot of intensity into the game and came at us in the duels. Now, I don’t think the scoreline reflects the match.
We had the ball, we created chances, but we didn’t put them away. To say that we were in trouble all game is a bit harsh. But we came up against a very good team.
You’ve been in a position like this before, needing to win to qualify, and you like this situation where you have everything to prove?
It’s a bit of a wake-up call to keep up the momentum and not let up. It’s a good shot in the arm for us to be as strong as possible and keep up the momentum.
A match reminiscent of the start of the season, with the lack of realism?
Yes, that’s a bit of it. Now, we’re not the same team we were at the start of the season. We’ve shown throughout the season that we’re a very good team, a collective that’s very dynamic, that gets into duels and presses hard. We’ve got to keep going like this if we’re to pick up a win against Seattle.
My year? I got off to a good start at the beginning of the season, but then I had an ankle injury that dragged on.
Zaire-Emery “that’s what a team is all about”.
A complicated year?
I started the season well. Then I had an ankle injury that dragged on a bit. But the coach has always had faith in me, and talks to me a lot.
My team-mates are there for me. I think that’s what a team is all about. When there’s a player who’s not doing so well, you have to help him, give him confidence and put him back in the best possible conditions.
