On Saturday, in the final of the Coupe de France 2024-2025, Paris Saint-Germain (1st in Ligue 1) take on Reims (16th) at the Stade de France (kick-off 9pm, CET). On the eve of the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered a number of questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique “He’s one of the best, if not the best.”
Campos’ extension?
It’s the best possible news, without a doubt. What’s more, it’s a long extension. I’m very happy about that. I’ve had very good relationships with sporting directors in my career, but from day one I’ve felt the connection with Luis Campos. He’s one of the best, if not the best. I’m very happy for him and the club. He deserves it. Now we have to keep up the good work.
Few teams have done the treble with the Champions League, so are you banking on the possibility of making history with the players?
First of all, before selling the bear’s skin, you have to kill it. From day one, our aim has been to make history, and we know what that means. There are still 9 days to go, then the Club World Cup, but that’s another matter. We wanted to be involved in the finals and here we are. Now comes the hard part. We’re highly motivated.
Luis Enrique “all professional players know that playing in a Cup final is very special.”
How do you keep the players’ minds off the Champions League?
I think it’s very easy, because all professional players know that playing in a Cup final is very special, very different from playing in the league. The fans are 50/50, there’s extra time and penalties in the event of a draw. Every detail counts.
It wasn’t easy to concentrate on the final, but no one will be distracted by thinking about another match.
Can you feel the excitement of these two finals? Is it special being PSG coach at the Stade de France?
I have a very bad memory for matches, but my first match here was against France and we lost 1-0. But things happen quickly, and nobody could have said at the time that I’d be coming back here like this. That’s the beauty of soccer.
Now we have two very important games and we have to concentrate on them. Not anywhere else.
Luis Enrique “We’ve improved points in the game and that gives this feeling.”
Are all the players available? Is there more freshness than last year?
Physically, we’re the same. But the results give us freshness. We’ve improved in certain areas of the game and that gives us that feeling. I’m used to arriving with a fresh team. We talk about turnover during the season, and there are positives and negatives.
All the players are available, except Presnel Kimpembe. Who’s at the end of his recovery.
The calendar was simpler by being champions earlier, with a final against a play-off place. Inter are in a worse situation, could that affect the final?
Of course, but I don’t know whether that’s positive or negative. In one case, it could be positive not to slacken off in the slightest. On the other hand, you have to concentrate on the games when you’re champion. You have to manage your playing time. I don’t know if it will be positive or negative. I’m trying to see the positive side of our schedule so that we can arrive in the best possible conditions.
Luis Enrique “It would be ridiculous to think about May 31.”
Any discussion with the players before the final, to avoid them thinking about the next one?
No, not with any player in particular. I don’t have any on the fact that the only important final at the moment is tomorrow. They’ve understood that message from the start. We know where we are and where we want to go. It would be ridiculous to think about May 31.
We’re playing against Reims, who we haven’t beaten this season. There’s one win and 5 draws in the last 6 games against them. We can’t afford to lose focus.
How demanding was training this week? A difficult period physically?
When you have 2 games a week, you can’t have a very heavy physical load. But it’s obviously important to improve offensively and defensively. It has to be similar to a match, with intensity.
Luis Enrique “The players also pass on the difficulties on the pitch, we’re always improving.”
Have you found a new balance when it comes to transitions? Is this specific work or a global thing? You’ve changed too, with more transition, will that help too?
We’re going to be in situations again tomorrow with possession and opposing transitions. We have to be careful not to suffer. We need to strike a balance between mobility and being stationary. We’ve improved that aspect this season. I have very intelligent players who know how to manage it. The players also pass on the difficulties on the pitch, so we’re always improving.
Luis Enrique: “He’s at a wonderful level.”
Pacho is Ecuador’s first French champion and one of the country’s first in the LDC final?
I don’t think Pacho’s importance is anything new; he has the most playing time in the squad. He’s been able to adapt and integrate perfectly from day one. He’s a great contributor when it comes to getting the ball out, winning duels without making mistakes, and he’s at a marvellous level.
We’ve pinned great hopes on him, and we’re hoping he’ll be at the same level again tomorrow, so we can win the title. It’s always difficult for a player who’s just arrived at a club to maintain such a high level. I’m very happy for him.
