Arrived first on the stage of the auditorium of the Parc des Princes, Fabian Ruiz let Christophe Galtier answer the first questions on the eve of the meeting against Maccabi Haifa, this Tuesday, at the Parc (9 p.m.). The coach once again pointed to his “complicated pre-season preparation” to justify his slow build-up. Holder in the last five Ligue 1 games, the Spaniard goes upmarket and seduces with each of his outings to the point of establishing himself as an already essential holder in the Parisian environment alongside Verratti – suspended on Tuesday – and Vitinha.
You have played the last five games, how are you living it?
FABIAN RUIZ. As the coach said, at first it was difficult, because I was out of the group because I didn’t have the physical condition. Little by little, I found sensations in the last matches and I hope that I will keep this rhythm.
How did you work?
I trained alone for a month in Naples without playing a single game with the ball. It weighed on my debut here as I arrived out of form and lacking games. Gradually, training hard and finding playing time, I felt better and better with each practice. Now I feel good and I hope to help the team on the pitch.
How would you describe your agreement with Verratti?
He’s a player I knew and everyone knows, I think. He’s not only a great player but he’s also a great person. He helped me a lot when I arrived. I spoke Italian and he helped me a lot. It’s easy to play with him. We have a lot of great players and he is one of them.
Are you more comfortable in a system with three midfielders than with two?
Both formulas work for me. It depends on the match, on what the coach asks.
You are sometimes compared to Motta or even Pastore on social networks. What do you think ?
It’s always an honor to be compared to such talented players. Each has its characteristics. But it is satisfying, yes.
Were you surprised by Haifa on the way out?
No. We knew that it was a team that exerts significant pressure and that has players who go quickly in front. In addition with the support of their supporters. We had suffered a little for twenty, thirty minutes. Tomorrow will be a match of the same intensity. With our public, we will try to get three points that will be important for us.
It seems that you are very diligent in French lessons…
I have started, yes, but I still need a little time. I hope the next conference I could answer in French (he speaks in Spanish).
Do you still hope to play the World Cup when you have not been called up for several months because of your complicated relationship with coach Luis Enrique?
I never had any problem with the coach. On the contrary, I wish the best to my teammates and my country. I’m only focused on my club, doing things well, doing what I can and tomorrow’s game. (mardi) which is very important. Those are the only things I think about today.
Is it difficult to be a midfielder behind three exceptional attackers but not always the most diligent in defensive withdrawal?
(Christophe Galtier slips in with a smile: “He’ll tell you that it’s better to be three than two”). It’s a pleasure for a midfielder to be behind these three players and to be able to give them balls so that they can do what they can do. They do amazing things and can win us a game in less than a minute. It’s up to us to make sure they feel comfortable on the pitch and bring their best.