MY ACCOUNT
Mauricio Pochettino declared it difficult to rate Paris Saint-Germain’s season after a record-equalling Ligue 1 title followed Champions League disappointment.
PSG held a slender 1-0 advantage heading to Real Madrid in the Champions League last-16 second leg before doubling their advantage in the return fixture, but a Karim Benzema-inspired second-half turnaround dumped Pochettino’s side out the competition.
Questions circulated and still remain over the future of Pochettino at PSG, who replaced Thomas Tuchel at the helm in January 2021.
Former Tottenham boss Pochettino may have somewhat eased the pressure by clinching PSG’s 10th league title, but the Argentine admitted it is hard to judge the success of the season.
“It’s very difficult to rate the season,” he told reporters at a pre-match news conference on Saturday before facing Troyes.
“When I arrived a year and a half ago, the main objective was to win the Champions League. From the moment we haven’t achieved it, it’s difficult.
“Despite everything, there is this satisfaction of having obtained this 10th title in the history of the club. It’s always something to win a national title.”
Pochettino did not make the five-man shortlist for the Ligue 1 coach award by the French players’ union, UNFP, despite winning the title.
The list was instead made up of Christophe Galtier (Nice), Bruno Genesio (Rennes), Antoine Kombouare (Nantes), Jorge Sampaoli (Marseille) and Julien Stephan (Strasbourg).
However, Pochettino insists he has no problem with the lack of personal recognition.
“I have no opinion to give,” he said when asked about the award. “I didn’t have any either when I was one of the England nominees alongside Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola.
“It’s a fact, I don’t have much to say.”
PSG will turn their focus to ending the season in strong fashion, next hosting Troyes on Sunday, though the Ligue 1 champions may be without star forward Lionel Messi.
The Argentina captain returned to individual training after feeling pain in his ribs, but another review will be conducted on Sunday morning to see if the former Barcelona star is fit to feature.
Pochettino, though, has been satisfied with PSG’s preparations.
“Yesterday we had a great time together as a squad,” he continued. “Everyone was there, we are a real family and it’s important to spend time together like that.
“We have prepared well for tomorrow’s match. We need to remain professional until the end of the season and we are ready for this penultimate home match.
“It’s important to finish our work in the right way. We need to continue to work because we also need to prepare the players for the international matches that are coming soon.”
