On Saturday, as part of Matchday 27 of Ligue 1 2024-2025, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) take on Saint-Etienne (17th) at Stade Geoffroy Guichard (kick-off 7pm, UTC+1). On the eve of the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered a number of questions at a press conference.Saint-Etienne/PSG – Luis Enrique’s key words: Kimpembe, Kvaratshelia, youth and management
Luis Enrique “It’s totally anecdotal.”
Is it important to be champion quickly, or is it anecdotal?
It’s totally anecdotal. Our focus is on the fact that there are still 8 league games to go, and we want to be competitive because that’s the best preparation for other competitions.
There’s been some criticism, but today you’re the unanimous choice. How do you explain that?
That’s the life of a top-level coach. You’re constantly being criticized, but when things are going well, you can be praised. I’m used to it.Saint-Etienne/PSG – Luis Enrique’s key words: Kimpembe, Kvaratshelia, youth and management
Luis Enrique “Kimpembe is getting closer and closer.”
Kimpembe is back in contention and ready to start?
I think that in his case, he’s a very important player for the team and the group. People think that you can only help the team. But that’s not true. He’s in a process of improvement. I want to see him in the best possible condition to play.
He’s in a very positive line and he helps the group with his leadership. We want him to be able to help out on the pitch. But there’s a lot of competition at PSG and I want even more next season. Saint-Etienne/PSG – Luis Enrique’s key words: Kimpembe, Kvaratshelia, youth and management
Luis Enrique “We want to go all the way in competitions.”
So close to being unbeaten in an entire season, is that something you use with the players?
Honestly, you’re never champion until it’s mathematically done. But I think we can feel like champions. We’ve got the best team and the standings show it.
The last few games must be used to be competitive, to be ready for all competitions and out of respect for our opponents. Saint-Etienne/PSG – Luis Enrique’s key words: Kimpembe, Kvaratshelia, youth and management
Luis Enrique “that they are ready for the team.”
What will the rotation be like for Aston Villa?
As usual (smile). Obviously, some games are more important than others. From then on, to try and get what we want, we need all the players. I keep telling them. Even if some of them play more. But we have 17 players with over 2000 minutes. I’d like to see more.
When you’re a player, you don’t know when you’ll be decisive. Maybe a player doesn’t play much for a while, but he’ll be decisive in the last few months. I want my players not to think individually, but to be ready for the team, in every situation. Saint-Etienne/PSG – Luis Enrique’s key words: Kimpembe, Kvaratshelia, youth and management
Luis Enrique “It’s a wonderful group, ready to work.”
How are the players feeling? Are you excited about April?
The players have returned well. There are always questions, but they’re back in the same state. It’s a wonderful group, ready to work. I feel almost the same as I did in 2024, when we were almost champions, reached the semi-finals of the Coupe de France and the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Of course, the intention is there, and it’s time for the ballots. The team has taken a year off, but it still has the same desire to do well.
What has Kvaratskhelia brought to the team? Did he surprise you?
He didn’t surprise me technically. He’s already very well known. What surprised me was his ability to adapt to the defensive work required of him. He’s the first to press, and he always comes back very well. That’s a very positive message. It adds competition.
Too busy a schedule, as Hansi Flick (FC Barcelona) said?
Saint-Etienne/PSG – Luis Enrique’s key words: Kimpembe, Kvaratshelia, youth and management
Luis Enrique “I want soccer with the ball, and I try to convey that to the players.”
I get the impression that everyone believes in your idea of the game? Is that the reason for PSG’s success?
I don’t agree yet. It’s because we’re winning today, but when we weren’t winning as much, everyone believed in it less. The coach wants to pass on his ideas, and there are plenty of soccer ideas out there.
Saint-Etienne were surprising in the first leg, and there’s been some tension with their supporters. What kind of match are you expecting?
This match is a bit different, because we’re away against a historic French club, and it’s a stadium with a very powerful atmosphere. We like that. It’s very motivating. I hope there won’t be any problems.
I really liked Saint-Etienne at the Parc des Princes. They’re a team that dares, that presses, that’s good at counter-attacks, that knows how to start from the back. Their situation could be better. We’ll try to be dominant, as always. Saint-Etienne/PSG – Luis Enrique’s key words: Kimpembe, Kvaratshelia, youth and management
Luis Enrique “It’s something that’s going to become a habit”.
With some very young players in training, what role does training play in the project?
We train a lot of players, and for me and my staff, we like to see these players. It’s a regular occurrence. Depending on the training sessions, they stay for more or less time. It’s something that’s going to become a habit. It’s important for the players to have time.
How do you stimulate the players’ game intelligence on a daily basis?
I don’t know how. What I’m trying to do is to ensure that an attractive idea – to get the ball quickly – is done with courage; there’s also the management, who have signed players who go in that direction. There’s more and more competition, and that’s essential. The aim is always to improve the team and the individuals. I’m satisfied with what I see.Saint-Etienne/PSG – Luis Enrique’s key words: Kimpembe, Kvaratshelia, youth and management
Luis Enrique “What this team transmits is that it will never slow down, no matter what the score is.”
A difficult week for Marquinhos, with the miscarriage of his partner. Have you swapped? Could he be rested?
In principle, Marquinhos is in the squad and ready to play. I don’t comment on personal matters.
What are the team’s areas for improvement?
There’s always room for improvement. At the moment, everything is very positive, but when we were losing, it was more negative. We want to improve our pressing, counter-pressing, ball movement and set-pieces. What this team conveys is that it’s never going to slow down, whatever the score. I like that.Saint-Etienne/PSG – Luis Enrique’s key words: Kimpembe, Kvaratshelia, youth and management
Luis Enrique “There’s also the notion of fun.”
How did you go about creating this collective?
It’s a lot simpler than it sounds. If someone doesn’t defend or attack with the collective, they won’t play in the next match. With competition, you quickly see that everyone is part of the team.
There’s also the notion of pleasure. A striker can enjoy defending, which is what we ask of a defender. It’s a team sport, you have to do things with the collective.
What measures can be taken to maintain the team’s momentum?
There were 10 of us at training yesterday, 17 today. We want to pool our objectives, put them in perspective and prepare for them by training in the best possible way. The players who didn’t go to the national team had individual training sessions. For those who were in the squad, it depends on the minutes. There’s no more break before the end, so they can concentrate on their objectives.
What did you do during the break? What did you think of Dembélé during the break?
I don’t have an opinion on selections. We’re often misinterpreted. I tried to get some sun, but there was none in Spain, he was in Paris. Saint-Etienne/PSG – Luis Enrique’s key words: Kimpembe, Kvaratshelia, youth and management
