Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo spoke following his team’s 1-0 friendly win over Sochaux about a number of talking points revolving around the club.
In typical Leonardo fashion, he did not hold back and spoke his mind. He was particularly critical of the French Football Federation and how it decided to “schedule a final of the Coupe de France after five months without playing, to please the president.”
Leonardo also talked about the release of the Ligue 1 schedule and how PSG’s opening fixture of the season will come on the same day as this season’s UEFA Champions League final, as he alluded (via Culture PSG) that there was not much belief from the hierarchy within the FFF that a team from France could progress that far in the tournament.
FFF president Noel Le Graet responded (via L’Equipe) to Leonardo’s comments and provided a reason for some of the scheduling decisions.
“Even if it’s true that Leonardo annoys me a little nicely,” La Graet said. “I did not understand his exit this week. It was not possible to play the finals on another date. We had to enter the French teams on the dates authorized by UEFA.”
La Graet also spoke briefly about PSG’s recent form.
“But I find the PSG strong,” La Graet said. “Leonardo, luckily he had two great matches to prepare. It is not by winning 7 or 8-0 all the friendly matches that PSG would have been ready.”
Nonetheless, La Graet sure must be rooting for PSG and also Olympique Lyonnais to pull off a deep run in the Champions League.
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