Blaise Matuidi, the midfielder for PSG, emphasized the importance of the upcoming double confrontation against Ukraine in the play-offs for the 2014 World Cup. At a press conference on Monday, Matuidi acknowledged that these are the two most critical matches of the year, as they lead to the World Cup in Brazil. He stressed the significance of representing the national team, expressing the need for careful preparation and focus on the smallest details.
Matuidi sees the qualification for Brazil as a significant goal for the team and emphasized the importance of concentration, knowing that the matches can be decided on details. The midfielder is optimistic about the team’s chances and emphasized the desire to win both matches against Ukraine.
Expressing the team’s readiness for the physical and technical challenge, Matuidi highlighted the efficiency and technical prowess of the Ukrainian team. He acknowledged the individual talents, particularly mentioning Yarmolenko, whom he faced in the Champions League last season.
Matuidi’s goal for the first leg in Kyiv is a positive result, with the understanding that a win or at least avoiding a loss would be crucial. Looking ahead to the return match at the Stade de France, he emphasized the importance of public support and called for a “sacred union” to help secure the qualification for the World Cup, stating that a World Cup in Brazil is a dream that only happens once.
