Paris Saint-Germain began the new Ligue 1 season on an unusually slow start. Typically, the club kicks off seasons with a winning streak to create distance away from the rest of the teams in the table. But this season, the club picked up back-to-back 1-0 league losses to RC Lens and Olympique de Marseille.
The two losses for PSG had the club in the bottom half of the table, which is not where defender Presnel Kimpembe is accustomed to being with the team. At the least for PSG, the club has climbed the table and is now holding the top spot in the league. The early slow start to the season was a learning lesson for the club and in a press conference (via the club’s official website) ahead of PSG’s UEFA Champions League group stage fixture against Basaksehir, Kimpembe took a look back at the circumstances of the team’s early season woes.
“Indeed, it was difficult for us,” Kimpembe said. “We resumed training on June 22. With the health crisis, it was not easy for everyone. The championship stopped, and we stayed at home for between three and four months.
“It was therefore difficult to be ready for the resumption of competitions, the Champions League, the selections, the preparation. But these are the circumstances, and we are happy to resume our profession, football, and we will try to make the most of it.”
Kimpembe recently wore the team captain’s armband for a fixture in the absence of Marquinhos. This was not the first time that Kimpembe wore the coveted armband but it still meant much to the defender.
“This is not the first time that I have had the chance to wear the armband,” Kimpembe said. “It went very well. It involves a lot of responsibility. If the coach gives me the armband, it’s because I’m able to wear it. With Marquinhos, everything is going very well. We are aware of having more responsibilities, we take them with open arms for the team and for the club.”
Kimpembe will be aiming to put together another strong performance for the team in its upcoming two key fixtures this week.
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