On Wednesday, during the first day of the 2025 European Super Cup, Paris Saint-Germain will face Tottenham at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine (kickoff at 9 p.m., CET). On the eve of this match, Parisian left-back Nuno Mendes (23) answered several questions at a press conference.
Nuno Mendes: “We’ve tried to do everything we can to be in the best shape possible tomorrow.”
How do you hope to make up for the lack of preparation?
Yes, we know it was a complicated season, a very long season. We’ve tried to do everything we can to be in the best possible shape tomorrow. We’ve tried to work on our cardio because it’s going to be difficult—they’re a great team. That’s what we’re hoping for. I think we’re ready for tomorrow. We’re going to try to play our game—that’s our goal.
Donnarumma excluded, how do you deal with that?
No, it’s the coach’s decision. We do our job, we train and we do everything we can to make the squad. The coach chooses the players who will make the squad. I do my job and, together with the team, we’re ready for tomorrow.
Nuno Mendes: “The most important thing is to win tomorrow.”
Are you worried that having several potential Ballon d’Or winners could disrupt the dressing room?
No, I think we’re all fine and focused on tomorrow’s game. Personally, I’m calm and I think my teammates are too. The most important thing is to win tomorrow and bring the cup home.
After such a long break, is it harder physically or mentally?
I think it’s a bit of both. Physically, we know we’re not in the shape we’d like to be in. Mentally, too, we’re coming back from vacation, and we’re trying our best to focus on this game, which is the first and most important one. That’s what we try to do every day: train hard and give our all for the game.
Nuno Mendes: “I think they’re going to help us a lot this year, and that’s what we need.”
What can you tell us about the first few days of the two new recruits, Zabarnyi and Chevalier?
It’s too early to say much about them. They’re doing well, they’re happy, there are smiles. I think they’re in good shape because they’ve started preparing. I think they’re going to help us a lot this year, and that’s what we need.
