PARIS —
Mauricio Pochettino is hoping
Paris Saint-Germain can clinch the Ligue 1 title
on Wednesday despite being without the injured Lionel Messi, as the Argentine
coach batted away questions about his future in the French capital beyond this
season.
اضافة اعلان
PSG are 15 points clear of Marseille with six games
left in the season after beating their rivals 2–1 on Sunday.
That means they
could be crowned champions on Wednesday, provided Marseille fail to beat Nantes
and PSG better their nearest challenger’s result when they travel to Angers.
If Marseille do
not slip up, PSG will have another chance to secure their eighth title in 10
seasons — and a record-equaling 10th French crown overall — when they play host
to Lens on Saturday.
“The sooner the
better,” Pochettino said when asked if he would prefer to win the league away
from home or in front of the PSG fans at the Parc des Princes, where supporters
angry with club management and at the manner of their
Champions League exit
have decided to stay silent during remaining games this season.
“For me it would
be an immense source of joy to be involved in winning the club’s 10th league
title.”
“That should be
a great source of motivation for everyone but we still need to go out and win
it as soon as possible.”
Despite their
strong position in the league, the end of the season is proving to be something
of an anti-climax for PSG after they started the campaign by signing Messi and
targeting Champions League glory.
Having also
exited the French Cup early, the Champions League collapse against Real Madrid
in the last 16 in March left the Qatar-owned club with the sole remaining aim
of reclaiming the domestic title they lost to Lille last season.
Messi has
contributed just three Ligue 1 goals and will play no part against Angers
because of an inflamed Achilles tendon, PSG said.
Meanwhile
Neymar, who has belatedly come to life this season and has scored six times in
the last three matches, will also be absent due to suspension.
“For a long time
I have said that winning the Champions League is a fundamental objective for
Paris Saint-Germain so it will always be a big disappointment for the club if
we don’t win it,” admitted Pochettino.
His own future
remains up in the air, with speculation linking him to Manchester United dying
down now that Erik ten Hag is the favorite for the Old Trafford job.
Pochettino
added: “I have a year left on my contract and so it is not a matter of wanting
to continue or not, it is a contractual matter.”
“Obviously there are
always expectations. Any coaching staff wants to do better than last season and
we still have that desire to improve.”
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