Being from Nice, what does Marseille game mean to you?
It’s a kind of derby in the south of France. It’s a long time ago for me! But when you play in France, every time you face Marseille it’s always a big game. They are one of the biggest French clubs, especially in European history.
It’s a special place. When you are French or you play for a French team, facing Marseille is always very special.
Can you believe you’re here after the start to last season?
I believe that it was our ambition and we could feel the improvement very early when Antonio Conte and his coaching staff arrived at the training ground. Obviously it was not perfect but step by step we improved as a team, we improved our concept and I think in the last moment of the season we stepped up and got the fourth spot for the Champions League. If we are in this competition today it’s because we deserve it and because we made the job last season.
It’s a new adventure for the club. It’s been two years now without this competition and we’re all excited to be part of it. But also we have to play with ambition. We know also this competition is all about details. It’s high-level football and every team that is involved, every player that’s involved, they are going to try to play at their best level. So it demands a lot of focus and we’re going to try to start in the best way with a win.
READ MORE: Every word Antonio Conte said on his European ambition, crazy schedule, VAR and Lucas return
You were very honest about the situation when Spurs were knocked out by Zagreb. How far have the team come because you've said before that the reality didn't match the ambition. I wonder now does the reality match the ambition?
I don't really like to talk about the past. I'm more focused on the present. It's the story of a club. There are ups and downs. When you face difficulties it's about how you bounce back. I believe the club is going in the right direction with the help of Antonio Conte and his coaching staff.
But we know there is still a gap for improvement, and it demands a lot of effort and focus from all the players, and we're going to bridge the gap with to the best teams in Europe and in England. But step by step. It's important to be focused on our work everyday and ready to challenge any team.
Never won a medal with Spurs. Hunger to put that right?
Yes, I'm still looking for it. And I believe we are capable to make it, but as I said just before its going to demand a lot of effort, a lot of work. I feel and believe we are going in the right direction but we know there are a lot of competitive clubs in England and in Europe. So that's why we need to go step by step.
But the belief is there, that's the most important (thing). We feel that we are ready to compete, we feel that we are improving, but we know it's never enough. You always have to push and improve yourself and go over your limits if you want to arrive and to succeed.
VAR - do you go into games expecting mistakes?
Well, it's not the sort of debate I want to go in. As a player you're just focused on the game, and like all the fans we cannot manage the situation. It's about referee decisions, and VAR decisions, and sometimes like we saw in some games since the start of the season there have been some mistakes.
But mistakes are human so let’s see if we are going in the right direction. But as I have said before, if you are just a player on the field you are only focused on the ball, focused on the game and try to do your best.
Gap between Liverpool and City, how big, is it shrinking?
When you look at both teams, they have huge experience as a team. Players are used to playing with each other for many, many years now. They are used to succeeding, they are used to winning trophies.
It will be easier to answer that question at the end of this season to see where everyone is, to see how close we could be. But all our focus at the moment is on the present and mainly on the game of tomorrow.
You hate to lose, does whole team share that mentality now?
It’s been the case also in the past but obviously our manager is our main leader and I believe that there is a connection between a manager’s feelings and the way the team is playing.
At the moment, I feel the great connection but it’s not the moment to do less. It’s the moment to do more, to push ourselves, continue in the right way and let’s see where we will be at the end. As I said before, we are only focused on the game of tomorrow.
How long did it take you to get over the 2019 final, will you ever play another Champions League final?
Yeah, but the final is so far, it’s so difficult to reach. We are focused on the group stage with the ambition to go through. There’s no easy game in this competition and we have to respect every opponent involved.
We know it’s going to be a long way to go through so step by step, we take it game by game, al our energy and all our focus is on Marseille and we will see later how far it takes us.
Have Champions League nights been a highlight of your time here?
Yes, I didn't have time to reflect about the 10 years. I'm more focused on the present and to make sure we make the future bright for Spurs. But as you said obviously this night (the Real Madrid game) was one of the best memories with Spurs.
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