Joao Neves defined the ambiance inside Paris Saint-Germain’s squad stays optimistic regardless of Ousmane Dembele’s criticism of the staff’s shows.
Dembele hit out at PSG’s performances within the wake of their 3-1 loss to Rennes final Friday, which enabled Lens to retake the benefit in a good Ligue 1 title tussle.
The Ballon d’Or winner mentioned PSG’s gamers have been going out on the pitch as people, somewhat than as a collective, as he urged his team-mates to place the membership first somewhat than their very own ambitions.
However forward of Tuesday’s Champions League conflict with Monaco, with holders PSG taking up their Ligue 1 rivals in a play-off tie to succeed in the final 16, Joao Neves insisted there is no such thing as a pressure between the gamers.
“The ambiance within the locker room is nice, the gamers are assured, the temper is nice, we’re prepared for tomorrow,” he mentioned.
“I feel Ousmane has spoken about it, he’s already mentioned it, however I consider he primarily desires to bolster what we did final season: play as a staff, collectively.
“That’s considered one of PSG’s nice strengths and we present it in each match with the way in which we play. I feel that’s what he wished to emphasize.
“When we’ve got one thing to say to sure gamers, we are saying it to their faces. Proper now, every thing is ok, everybody is prepared for tomorrow and in a great mind set.”
The @ChampionsLeague is again#UCL pic.twitter.com/x0CXQ0oQJh
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) February 15, 2026
Requested about Dembele’s feedback, PSG coach Luis Enrique mentioned: “There’s all the time lots of noise surrounding PSG. It’s important to settle for it and that’s it.”
Monaco and PSG have by no means beforehand met in European competitors.
Nevertheless, Monaco misplaced their solely prior main European tie towards a fellow French facet, taking place 3-2 on combination to Marseille within the 1998-99 UEFA Cup spherical of 16.
PSG, in the meantime, received each of their earlier two video games with French opposition in main European competitors, beating Brest 10-0 on combination in the course of the play-off spherical of final season’s Champions League (3-0 away, 7-0 at dwelling).
“We have to be attentive and play the identical means in each match,” mentioned Luis Enrique when quizzed on dealing with considered one of their home rivals.
“We have now to attempt to do the job properly to win the match. We’re not altering our mentality. We wish to win matches at dwelling in addition to away.
“I wish to see the very best model of PSG, and we noticed final season that we misplaced the primary leg earlier than coming again within the second. We wish to win each match, and our mentality doesn’t change.
“Final yr it was very clear, we lacked effectivity initially, similar to in some matches this season. If we create lots of probabilities, it’s as a result of we have been superior to the opponent, and I feel we’ll proceed to take action.”
