PRESS CONFERENCE
Emery on Barcelona,Lacazette, Pepe and transfers
04 Aug 2019
Unai Emery was asked about a variety of topics after our final pre-season friendly against Barcelona on Sunday.
The head coach spoke about the performance at the Nou Camp, the latest on Alexandre Lacazette's injury, whether Pepe will feature against Newcastle and the latest on possible transfers.
Here's what he said:
on the game...
Good evening. I am really happy with our work, with our performance. The next week we are going to start the Premier League against Newcastle and the result is going to be important. But not today. We want to create a winning mentality but the first today was to work with all the players, to start thinking how we can be better for the first match against Newcastle. We have some injuries but that is normal for every team. We played a good match here, away here in Barcelona against a good team, where every match is difficult. We had some mistakes, but it is up to us to improve that.
on Alexandre Lacazette...
It's one process. Hopefully he could be available for the match against Newcastle. The doctors, they are optimistic. We are going to wait. The next days are going to be very important to see how he is going to progress with his injury. But I am really, really happy with other players also. If he is ready for Sunday, perfect. If he isn't, then for the next. We need now to have a very competitive team, with the players ready forth next matches but above all to create a mentality to start strong and find our best performance in the next match.
on whether Nicolas Pepe could face Newcastle...
He is training with us for two days only and today we spoke and it was better to be continuing working alone in Colney. Tomorrow we are going to do training together with us and I think each day for him and for us is information we can receive on how he can be for the next training and next match, but with him I want to patient and also see every day how he is taking the pieces and the rhythm with us and also to see how we can play with him. He is in the same situation as other players who came in the same days. For example today with Lucas, after a week of training, today was his first minutes. After two training sessions I think it is best to keep training.
on if he thinks he will sign any defenders before the deadline...
But it has not changed, our idea and our message. Only if we can sign a player who really, really can improve our squad, then we are going to do that. If not, then not. We have good competitive players to achieve or try to achieve our target this season and we are going to be looking at something if we can sign someone, but with this idea. Only, and only, if we can improve.
|| After rejecting Arsenal's loan offer for Daniele Rugani, the Italian side have received further request for his folder. Juve's Sporting Director, Fabio Paratici is reportedly meeting with officials of Arsenal this week to specifically discuss a permanent move.
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