From what you know about Everton, what sort of challenge are you expecting?
It's a good first game because last year the two teams were close in the table, but like you said it's another context and now we have to be the best version of us for the moment, to compete and to fight at the highest as we can, as we are able at the moment.
We want to be ambitious for this game. We want to win, we go there to win, we don't go there to close the play.
We want to play, we want to show what we are able to do, and we want to take confidence by doing things and be efficient in what we decide to do.
Dwight McNeil will be going up against his former club if he plays. What are you expecting from him and how much is he going to enjoy the prospect of going up against his old club so quickly?
First of all, it's really difficult to play the first game with your new team against your former team but I did that as a coach last year! One time it happens, and it's done. That's why we make a lot of noise with that, but at the end it's only a game.
And to speak about him, he’s really a good player. He's able to be really efficient between the lines. He’s good to imbalance the opponent. He has a left foot of high level and now we have to connect with the others to play for us and not only as a player alone.
Finally, I must ask you about the Crystal Palace supporters, known for being some of the most passionate in the Premier League. How important are they going to be for you this season?
For me it’s the most important thing, because we play the football for us we think – but we play for the fans first of all, because without the fans and the people behind the screen, or in the stands, why play football?
That's why we want to play in the way the fans are awaiting – with energy, with the culture of the club, and to be in the shape they want.
