Paris Saint-Germain's assistant coach Zoumana Camara on March 28. (Xinhua photo)
By sportswriter Su Bin
PARIS, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Paris Saint-Germain's assistant coach Zoumana Camara thought that the Ligue 1 powerhouse needs patience on its "good way" to becoming European champions.
"We are on a good way, and need to be patient," said the former PSG defender in an interview with Chinese media on Wednesday.
Except for some internationals playing football friendlies on Tuesday night, other PSG players, including Thiago Motta and Javier Pastore, conducted a training session lasting more than one hour in their Ooredoo base near Paris for Saturday's French League Cup final against Monaco in Bordeaux.
Already eliminated from UEFA Champions League, PSG players have their sights on sweeping three domestic titles up for grabs.
"Losing to Real Madrid was a huge disappointment, but now we focus on the Cups," admitted Camara.
"The next step is to bring everybody back. A lot of them went to play all around the world, in China, England and South America. We try to bring all players tomorrow and prepare for the final. The time is quite short. We wish that tomorrow we don't have any injury, and then focus on the Cup."
With an almost unassailable 17-point advantage in Ligue 1, PSG can indulge themselves more in two domestic Cups.
"When season starts, we want to win everything, the league, Champions League and two Cups. Now that we have been out from the Champions League, and we are close to win the Ligue 1, the next target is the French League Cup final and French Cup semifinals," he said.
Champions League failure can be partly blamed on world-record signing Neymar's injury, which ruled him out from the second-leg clash and forced him to undergo foot surgery back in Brazil.
"We sent some people from the club to Brazil to follow him. He needs to recover step by step.
"His objective now is recovering. Hopefully he can play at the end of the season," said Camara.
During Neymar's absence, Argentine winger Angel Di Maria stepped up to form a new attacking trio with Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe.
"Without Neymar, it will be different, because he is one of the best players in the world, like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
"After he was injured, Mbappe and Cavani needs to take more responsibilities. We put Di Maria on the left, and we have a lot of confidence in him. If Neymar is not here, he will be on this position until the end of the season," Camara pointed out.
After spearheading Monaco to last season's league title, Paris boy Mbappe has quickly adapted himself since joining PSG before the season and notched 13 league goals so far. The wonderkid was also on fire in the national squad, becoming France's youngest double scorer since 1933 in Tuesday's 3-1 road victory over World Cup hosts Russia.
"He is a young player with such a quality, but he is only 19 years old, sometimes you forget about that. It's also his first season (in PSG), so he has to learn about the club, partners, city and team.
"He had a really good season, but I'm convinced that next season will be even better. He has good potential, and we help him develop these potential," Camara commented.
Camara played for PSG from 2007 to 2015, before taking over the assistant coach in the capital club. He felt "lucky and proud" to witness the difference during the past decade, while emphasizing on patience when talking about the European champions' prospect.
"(They are) Different teams with different expectation," he said, comparing current team with that he played for.
"I was here ten years ago, so I saw all steps. I'm proud to be still here and be part of the project. Seeing the team and club grow up is something exciting.
"This is just the beginning. It's a big step from ten years ago to now, and the club will continue to grow up," he added.
"Ten years ago, there was one game where we were fighting to stay in the first division. Now facing rivals like Real Madrid and Barcelona, it's a big step forward."
Camara, who also played in Serie A and Premier League clubs in his career, thought that every league is particular, but passion for football is the similarity.
"Played in Italy was a big experience," he recalled. "It's a real country for football. They live for football. At the moment of 1998 when France won the World Cup, for me that's the best league then."
Patience is not only just for PSG, also for the French top-flight league.
"French league is growing step by step. We are on the way. I hope that, like Monaco or Lyon, they can also grow up, because it's helpful to our league.
"You want to see a lot of French teams in the Champions League semifinals. It's a step that we have to be patient about.
Champions League and Europa League are all about experience. We learn about what we did against Real Madrid and Barcelona. It's a step for us to learn our mistake and try to do better for the future," Camara showed his confidence in the future.
The seemingly unhappy debate between Neymar and Cavani when taking a spot kick earlier this seaon was interpreted as a fight for leadership in a star-studded team. Camara would rather take something positive out from the process.
"This can happen everywhere. The only difference is that when happening in Paris, it can become bigger.
"The case is closed. The coach has decided on everything. Two players even share it sometimes. It's a good way because they are two important players. There is no problem any more," confirmed Camara.
For Camara, PSG has a lot of leaders, both tactically and mentally.
"(Thiago) Silva is our captain. Motta is an experienced player winning the Champions League in Barcelona and Inter Milan. Players like (Marco) Verratti is also a leader playing on the field, a tactic leader. We have a couple of leaders, four or five, and it's important to the group," said Camara.
He also shrugged off opinion that Italian midfielder Verratti has been up and down for failing to live up to his talent.
"Maybe he has done less than what he has to do. You could see him do more before, but now with Neymar and Mbappe, he doesn't need to go in front and score. He has to control midfield and make play for others, do what he knows and has to do, and let other players do the rest.
"For me, he is doing good," said an assured Camara.