PARIS -- Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Javier Pastore has admitted his frustration at not being a more regular part of Unai Emery's starting XI at present.
The Argentina international was influential as the French champions upped their game in the second half to thrash EA Guingamp 4-0 after but had to make do with a substitute role.
Pastore acknowledged he was disappointed to not feature for more than the 35 minutes he was given in the 4-1 win over AS Monaco in the Coupe de la Ligue final but accepted coach Unai Emery's reasons for his decisions.
"For sure I was a little irritated during the week because I wanted to play against Monaco," El Flaco told journalists in the mixed zone at Parc des Princes after the final whistle. "However, they are the decisions of the coach and I accept them.
"We have spoken about it a lot. He has given me explanations and he has my confidence because of that. The important thing is that I am decisive whether I play 15 minutes or a lot more."
Pastore elaborated on Emery's justification for the South American's limited recent role and recognised that it is mainly due to potential injury after a series of lengthy lay-offs already this season.
"There were many but the most important was that I have not played regularly this season because of injuries," said Pastore. "I was not at 100 percent, so it is normal that I get rested here and there. If not, I risk an overload of matches and a new injury.
"It is also normal that when a player feels good, they want to play in every game. However, the most important thing is to win our last few Ligue 1 matches to try to win the title.
"I personally want to play in every game, which is normal but the important thing is to win right now. Whether or not we can do it, we will see at the end of the season."
Pastore helped to open up a stubborn Guingamp defence once he came on but felt that without a goal or an assist, his influence was less than was made out to be by the French press and supporters.
"No. I did not score and I did not provide an assist either," Pastore responded when told he changed the game. "The match opened up a bit at that point, so we found it easier to locate spaces. We managed to score the goals we needed."
Pastore also revealed that he and Emery have discussed his best position at length and his versatility suits the Basque.
"The coach and I have spoken a lot about this," Les Parisiens' No. 10 said. "I have played in the middle many times but also further forward like I did here. It depends on the matches and what the coach and the team need.
"This is not a problem for me. I know the two formations well and it is not difficult to find my place because of my versatility."