TFC-OM: Press conference

the press conference on Twitch
 

IGor Paixão: ‘We'll fight to the end’

After elimination

We know who is responsible for this elimination. We are disappointed, and so is the coach. We wanted to qualify. It was important. We have a match on Saturday, we have to move on, we have to win tomorrow.

In good form at the moment

Yes, the Netherlands are tough, more physical. I'm in good form at the moment, I'm scoring goals, I'm helping my team. I want to keep it up to show my potential at OM and make everyone happy.

The goal against Toulouse

I tried to cross the ball and I'm happy to have scored. I'm happy to be able to show my football.

The smile

I like to have that smile, no matter what the circumstances. You mustn't give up. Smiling changes everything, every day. It's important.

His status in the group

I give my all in training and in matches. It's normal to have ups and downs in a career. I continue to work for the team.

The start of 2026

Not qualifying for the Champions League was very difficult. We were disappointed. But we take to the pitch to win. We play to fight. We didn't achieve our goals. We need to stay motivated to finish the championship well.

The podium

Of course, we're going to fight to the end. We're very focused on qualifying for the Champions League.

Mental strength

There are still a lot of matches to play, anything can happen. We'll fight until the end to get as many points as possible. We're going to battle for it.

His physical condition

All the players are in top form at the moment. I've learned a lot from De Zerbi, the new coach. We need to show that in training and in matches. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices. If we help each other, we'll be happy and we'll qualify for the Champions League.

The celebration

It was a tribute to Vinicius. I really wanted to score. I thank God for scoring in this match. It's important to bring joy to the supporters. It's a dream to represent Brazil. There are still a few months to go.

Toulouse

We've seen the areas we need to improve, our mistakes. We need to work on set pieces. We can improve, play well and win this match.

Leonardo Balerdi

He works hard. Anyone can miss a penalty. We need to support those who miss penalties. We need to keep a level head. We wanted to qualify. Leo is confident, he will get through this difficult time.

Habib Beye: ‘We need to improve the speed of our ball movement.’

Bouncing back after elimination

A player's career is one thing, a coach's career is another. We need to rebuild confidence; we don't have time to dwell on our fate. We've caught up with Lyon, and tomorrow's match is important in that sense.

Toulouse, again

Two days may be enough. We're working on the players' mental attitude and psychology. The match will be different. We have to separate the two events. One is in the past, the other is Ligue 1 and that's very important. We have to be precise about the information we give the players and about our ambitions.

Toulouse

We're using this match to prepare for the next one. There were some positive things, but we struggled with set pieces. We led twice, so we need to be more solid in all aspects of the game. Playing the same opponent again in a few days saves us time.

Leonardo Balerdi

I saw Leo on Thursday. I want to see him happy, smiling and determined. Criticism is part of the job.

I have complete confidence in him, and I am here for him. He was the first to be affected by the penalty. I must give him the strength to face the challenges ahead.

Benjamin Pavard

All players have a role to play. I arrived and made my choices. Benjamin must be a leader through his experience. I expect that from Benjamin, and he will have his chance to play like everyone else.

Himad Abdelli

His first half was difficult. He was penalised very quickly with a yellow card. He was taken off because he had two situations where he slipped and took opponents with him. We reacted quickly. We protected him from being sent off before the end of the half.

The podium

I'm positive. I'm dependent on what I have in my hands. I'm focusing on the objectives, and the Coupe de France is over. In Ligue 1, we've closed the gap on Lyon. Tomorrow's match could bring us even closer. The season has been full of ups and downs. I understand the supporters' disappointment. It's important to achieve the objectives set by the club at the end of the season.

The squad

Everyone is here except Bilal Nadir. We have the whole squad, except for Bilal Nadir.

Set pieces

We worked on that, but we were lacking. Toulouse's opportunities came from set pieces. We need to be more aggressive. They caused us problems, so we'll have to be better tomorrow.

The mental aspect

I have no doubts. I know how we want to work. In the last year, we've only had nine clean sheets. That's an area for improvement. In the last five matches, we've conceded two goals per match. We score a lot, but we concede too many goals. That mustn't become a trauma. We've led twice, we've been caught up, but tomorrow will be a different match. I have to give maximum energy and confidence for the next matches.

Goals conceded

It's important to get into the opposition's half very quickly. We want to push forward from the very first seconds. Training makes us want to press. The desire to press constantly, to be like a steamroller, leads us to have moments of crisis in matches. Against Lyon, we were in their half for 30 minutes. We need to find the right balance with the intensity we want to apply.

The three-man defence

The advantages are high pressure and imposing the notion of pressing. The team has been mapped out on this system. Against Lyon, it showed some good things. We need to improve the speed of ball circulation. We need more speed and verticality. I'm talking about animation, we need to be more effective in maintaining high pressure on the opposition.

Igor Paixão

I told him to always look at the opposition's goal. His eyes are fixed on the goal. We play to his strengths. He enjoys attacking vertically. I give him the confidence to express himself in that area. Igor plays with enjoyment. I'm very happy with what he's doing. You need the desire to make an impact and enjoy the game.