Nuno Mendes: “It’s a dream to play many games in the UEFA Champions League”
Portuguese international previews first leg of play-off against Brest
Just a week and a half after thrashing Brest in Ligue 1 (5-2), PSG returns to the stadium of the team led by Éric Roy, this Tuesday, but this time for the first leg of the play-off for access to the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League .
Nuno Mendes was the player chosen to give the press conference and he stated that one game has nothing to do with the other, especially because the mentality is completely different in Europe: “I don’t know if it’s strange [facing a French club], but we don’t think about that. If they are here it is because they have quality. We are focusing on the game, it is the UEFA Champions League and the mentality can change a little bit.»
The Portuguese international also commented on the good moment that the French league leaders are experiencing, despite the situation being a little different in European competitions: «We were playing well, but we couldn’t score, especially in the UEFA Champions League . We are trying to do the best we can for the team. We won 5-2, but against Brest it’s always complicated. They have good players and if we let them play, they will harm us.»
The left-back also addressed the fact that he has had a more defensive than attacking role this season, unlike fellow full-back Hakimi on the right: “We all have different instructions. I do what the coach tells me. I feel good, I’m good when I attack, but you have to defend well before you attack.’
Finally, the former Sportista was asked about the fact that this was the 100th European game of his captain, Marquinhos , and he was pleased to be able to share the field with him, in a week in which he renewed his contract with the Parisians: “He is our captain and I am proud to play with him. I’m happy to be playing with him. It’s a dream to play many games in the UEFA Champions League , I’m happy for him and we’ll try to give him a great gift this Tuesday.”
