On Wednesday, during the first day of the 2025 European Super Cup, Paris Saint-Germain will face Tottenham at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine (kickoff at 9 p.m., CET). On the eve of this match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered several questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique: “These are always difficult decisions to make.”
What is PSG capable of with just one week of training?
To be honest, I don’t know. It’s very different from what we usually do, but the schedule allows for it. We started training with the joy of preparing ourselves and preparing for this important match. But I don’t know what level we’ll be able to reach.
Donnarumma isn’t there. Can you explain this decision with the arrival of Lucas Chevalier?
Lucas and Renato too. These are always difficult decisions to make, I know. I can only speak highly of Gigio. He is undoubtedly one of the best players in his position and he is even better as a person. We are looking for a different type of goalkeeper and, I repeat, it is always difficult to decide on this kind of situation.
Luis Enrique: “It’s a dream, and we’re going to try to win a second one.”
Is your number one challenge to stay at the top? What leverage do you plan to use?
What we did last season was a goal for all Parisian fans, for the club, and for all the players who played for the club. We want to make history and win a second consecutive Champions League title; that’s our goal. Last year, I don’t think anyone believed we were capable of winning the Champions League, but we showed everyone that we could do it. It’s a dream, and we’re going to try to win a second one, but it will be very difficult. We’re happy to have this dream.
Tottenham?
They’ve changed coaches and have already played some friendly matches. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, and I don’t know Tottenham’s approach. They’ve had a month of training, and we’ve only had a week. That’s no excuse, because we’re going to give it our all tomorrow to win the match. I had a few options, including going to Tottenham before I arrived in Paris.
Luis Enrique: “But we have team goals, not individual goals.”
How important are all the Ballon d’Or nominations for your players?
I think I’ve already said everything there is to say about what it means, this presence, these awards, which are very important for people in the world of soccer, but for us the most important thing is to show that the stars were there to serve the team. I think that’s the key, and it’s great for all the fans and players to know that there are nine PSG players on this list of 30, and I even think there should be more. But we have team goals, not individual goals. It’s a team sport, and that means our club, our players, and our fans want the team to win trophies, and the individual awards are a consequence of that. But that’s not our goal.
Do you understand the feeling that can arise from not having the opportunity to savor great successes enough?
I think it’s normal and it happens very often because there’s a lot of pressure. But I must say that I’m delighted to be here in front of you, to be competing in this tournament, because it will be a great challenge for us, the team, because we can make history here in Paris. When I say make history, I’m talking, of course, about winning trophies. I saw four players playing in the corridors, so now I have several players playing. That’s our DNA. It’s not our job, it’s our life, and I’m delighted to have this kind of player in my squad. We try to make the most of it, and of course there’s the ever-present pressure, but we manage it.
Luis Enrique: “You’ll like that I’m coming back. It’s the club’s decision, and they support me. From that moment on, we looked for the best solution.”
Are you prepared for possible penalty kicks since you have a new goalkeeper?
No, we haven’t trained on penalties. I understand that, and given Donnarumma’s level, it’s normal and we understand the situation. But my goal is to improve the team and I’m trying to do that in the best way possible. We haven’t prepared for possible penalty shootouts, to answer your question.
What do you think is important for a goalkeeper: stopping goals, or something else?
I think I’ve already answered that many times. You’d like me to come back to it, but it’s the club’s decision that supports me, and from that moment on, we looked for the best solution.
How can you be even better than last season? Is it imperative to find replacements for certain positions?
We have the mindset to improve, but it will be difficult because we have won almost everything. And that is the mindset we want to have. We want to prepare properly for this season, and it will be special because we have the opportunity to make even more history. That is a real motivation for us.
Luis Enrique: “We’ll see tomorrow if we’re capable of doing that.”
Are you going to play as a team tomorrow? The opponent is ready.
Last season was long, with many matches. We had difficult weeks in all competitions, but what allowed us to go all the way was a very high level of play, with everyone serving the team, and that’s something we mustn’t forget. Tomorrow, we’ll try to give our best, and it’s clear that the conditions of the game are very special, but we want to try to take the game where we think we’re best. We’ll see tomorrow if we’re capable of doing that.
