This Sunday at 16:30 PSG will receive the Olympique de Marseille Jean-Bouin, for a "Clasico" female version. A meeting in the Rugbymen area of ​​Stade-Français, close to the Parc des Princes. As the appointment approaches, it is from the training center of Bougival, under a beautiful blue sky, that the coach makes a quick inventory. Patrice Lair also takes this opportunity to appeal to supporters: "I hope they will come and support us in numbers", so that the party is even more beautiful!


What is the context just a few days away from Marseille? How do you feel about the players?

Patrice Lair: Concentrates. We made a good recovery this weekend in Saint-Etienne by qualifying [for the semifinals of Coupe de France against Soyaux]. We may have a chance to play a final this year. After we will set aside for now and we will focus on two important matches to take the second place. That is to say this weekend against Marseille and the next weekend against Fleury (a late match ed). With two wins, it would allow us to take three points ahead of Montpellier. We still have good chances to make this Champions League [next season].


You're talking about second place, the next matches. Is it a motivational element for girls?

P. L.: Yes it is important. You have to give yourself a goal. Naturally Marseille is a special meeting too. It is important that we beat them, already seen what happened at the match in Marseille (led 2-0 at the break the PSG had reversed the trend to win 5-2, ed). The supporters welcomed us at the station. We do not have the right to lose against Marseille at home. It is especially to give this happiness to the fans and to us too. It will not have feelings, even if we know that Marseille is in a very delicate position.


Sunday will be at Jean-Bouin, we expect many supporters, including Ultras. Can it play?

P. L.: Of course! But all season it's playing. They come to see us all the time. It's really something very positive. They allow us to sublimate especially at home. We owe them respect, that is, a victory against Marseille.


Does playing in a big stadium where you do not necessarily have your bearings it can play too?

P. L.: Me the only thing that bothers me is [the state of] the lawn. We know very well that a rugby team does not go with a beautiful lawn. I had echoes the pitch is not good. When we do melee is not ideal to maintain a field. But there will be people, spectators should be there. The fans are not going to go to Bordeaux very much (for the men's Ligue 1 match) from what I heard, I hope they will come and support us in numbers. After it will be necessary to disregard the ground and go to get this very important victory for the club.


It's a stadium without a track, something you already like?

P. L.: Yes yes yes. It is a beautiful enclosure, which can serve for the future. But it would have to belong to footballers or footballers. It may be a stadium that looks a bit like what they did in Barcelona with the Mini Estadi next to [Camp Nou]. It can be a nice thing and in the future match male and female matches, with the Park next door. It can be something strong to bring the feminine and the masculine.


"Count on me to be serious until the last final whistle. "


The defeat in Montpellier is completely digested?

P. L.: No, we are all at fault. We went through. There are not only staffing problems, even if we are sure we were missing half of the team. We missed, perhaps me, for the players some instructions were a little forgotten, it's a shame. It is a complicated situation that's true, but that also gives us an additional attraction on this end of the season where we have to get four wins and one draw against Lyon to be European. And we gave ourselves the right to perhaps dream of a cup of France. For the moment, we are still on target for the start of the season.


Soyaux it was the best draw for these semi-finals Cup France?

P. L .: They came for a draw at the beginning of the season. No, we must remain humble. We must take this team very seriously, as we did in Saint-Etienne. But it's in two weeks, first we have Marseille and Fleury. It will not be easy, they are teams that need points. But we are talking about Paris, Montpellier also does not have a simple schedule, they go to Bordeaux and then Lille will be a team that needs points too.

That's it, the fight for the maintenance is very tight this year ..

P. L.: Yes, all the better. It's going to be attractive. Usually often it is folded in front, folded behind. There on both sides, except Lyon who is champion, it remains open. Who can say today the teams that will come down? We really do not know.


In recent times we hear names circulating from your potential successors on the Parisian bank. On your side, concerning your future, do you know more?

P. L.: Patrice Lair will remain coach I think. Coach, worst case consultant, which I do not like because it allows me to talk a little. My future ? I am 100% in the institution Paris Saint-Germain. I will not let go, I owe it to girls. They deserve to go for something, it's been two years that we work for. We progress and it is also seen at the level of the selections. I'll do my job until the end and count on me to be serious until the last final whistle.



Photo: Team Pics / PSG