On Friday, as part of Matchday 6 of Ligue 1 2024-2025, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) take on Rennes (8th) at the Parc des Princes (kick-off 9pm, broadcast on beIN SPORTS). On the eve of the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered a number of questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique: “I can feel my team’s desire to work hard to improve”.
How do you explain PSG’s lacklustre performance in the last two games?
That’s life (smile). That’s soccer.
Have you felt a physical downturn since the return from the international break?
I feel things in a totally different way. Over the course of a season, there’s an evolution, with moments when I’m at my best and others when I’m not so good. It’s all part of the process.
I can see that my team has solved the difficult situations posed by their opponents, and I can feel their desire to work hard to improve.
Luis Enrique “they’re all in a great connection even if the process isn’t finished.”
Will the Arsenal match dictate your choices tomorrow?
From the start of the match until the end, I won’t be thinking about Arsenal. The important match is to win against Rennes. The rest, the future, even the near future, doesn’t interest me.
How would you assess João Neves’ acclimatization? What do you expect from him?
That’s what I expect of all the players in the middle. He’s perfectly adaptable to my style of play. He’s very good at keeping the ball in the face of pressure, which is rare. He has vision of the game, physical strength, intelligence, connection with team-mates, as well as defensive and offensive intensity.
He’s only at the beginning of his adaptation, like the other recruits, but I think they’re all in a great connection even if the process isn’t over yet.
Luis Enrique “These are things that happen over the seasons and we know how to solve them.”
9 days with 3 games and injuries, how do you approach it?
These are normal times for top-level teams, and we’re happy to be able to play. It’s a time of injuries, but nothing serious apart from the ones that were already there. These are things that happen over the seasons, and we know how to deal with them.
You said you wouldn’t have trained the PSG of Neymar, Messi and Mbappé… why?
I can’t remember (laughs). I’m going to use this press conference to say that I won’t comment on phrases taken out of context from a documentary.
Everything I say to my players and my team is part of my job. I say what I think, but I won’t comment. That’s my opinion.
Luis Enrique “If I’m offered to sign for not talking to the media at even -50%, I’d sign.”
You’ve said you’d be willing to lower your salary to talk to us less, can you explain that?
The truth is, I’m having a great time with you (smile). But given the choice…I’ve never cut short a press conference. It was a spontaneous thought. If they offered me a deal not to talk to the media at even -50%, I’d sign. But it wouldn’t be possible.
I don’t have the energy. But I think you’re smiling with me too and not having such a bad time.
Luis Enrique “My aim is to speak French, but I don’t want to make any mistakes.”
Do you have any contacts with the coaches ahead of the international break?
No, I’m not spending any energy on that. I used to be a coach, and a rather atypical one at that, giving players who played a lot at club level a rest. I also do it at club level if I see a load that seems excessive.
That’s how I see things. We’ve got our little worries, but we’ve got the manpower to find solutions.
Can you talk tactics in French?
No, for that I have my assistants who speak perfect French. I speak Spanish to the players and they translate. My aim is to speak French, but I don’t want to make any mistakes.
Luis Enrique “I don’t have a problem, I’m privileged.”
How do you deal with pressure? Is the pressure from the club, the fans or the media the hardest?
Pressure…If I’m under pressure, it’s a positive feeling, it means I’m at an important club, with great players. So I want that pressure. But I know that as long as everything goes well, if I’m supported, and if not, I’m replaced. I accept it, I accept the challenges of this sport. I don’t have any problems, I’m privileged.
Luis Enrique “It’s difficult to fight a low block with 11 players. But there’s also a problem facing a high block, a middle block.”
What does your team lack against low blocks?
It’s always the theory of relativity. Teams try to do different things. We saw that in the Champions League too. It’s difficult to fight a low block with 11 players. But it’s also a problem to fight a high block, a middle block. We have to be ready for all kinds of problems.
The opponent can change; Rennes have been pressing high in recent games. Against us, they can adapt and I don’t think they always will. We have possession and our opponents adapt. My job is to find solutions to problems. But it’s always difficult against a low block.
Luis Enrique “Pressure is normal, it doesn’t affect us.”
Less internal pressure this season?
No, there’s internal pressure from the staff to improve. I know the club’s objectives, which are to go down in history. We want to win everything we can, including the Champions League. That’s the goal I’ve set myself. Pressure is normal, it doesn’t affect us.
Luis Enrique “We want to continue to play well and take points.”
What do you expect from your players tomorrow?
Rennes still have the same coach as last year. They caused us problems last year. We know that they can vary their game as the match goes on.
These are things we’ve come to expect, just as they did last season. There are no easy games. There will be problems. But I’m optimistic. In general, we know we have good pressing and possession. We also know that playing at the Parc stimulates us. We want to continue to play well and pick up points.
Luis Enrique “I also think it’s great to start the season with a large squad.”
Is it important to involve so many players?
I think this strategy has several objectives. The first thing is to give opportunities to all the players, so that they feel they can participate. It’s also important to be prepared for absences and absences due to illness. I also think it’s great to start the season with a large squad.
Of course, if you always play with the same line-up, things can become clearer more easily. But I want around twenty players, so that we can adapt and everyone can fight for their place in training.
Luis Enrique “I can’t complain.”
Do the players need to take action against the calendar?
Of course the players need to speak out. The calendar in England is particularly busy and we have a situation that is better.
But the Club World Cup is an exciting competition and I think everyone wants to go. With a lighter calendar, we could pay a little more attention to the health of the players. I understand the problem, especially in England. I can’t complain.
