On Wednesday, during Matchday 5 of the 2025-2026 Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain (5th) will face Tottenham (10th) at the Parc des Princes (kick-off at 9 pm, CET). On the eve of this match, PSG coach Luis Enrique answered several questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique: “I can say that my defensive feeling is better.”
Is Dembélé ready to play tomorrow?
We’ll see tomorrow. If there are no problems, he’ll be in the squad.
You prefer your team’s defense this season, can you explain?
I’m the coach, I have my opinion, my analysis. I think that if we compare it to last season, I think we have 3 fewer points in Ligue 1, compared to the Champions League, we have more points. I can say that my defensive feeling is better. Results can change, but that’s my feeling.
Luis Enrique: “If you try to find just one thing, it doesn’t work.”
Do you feel like you’re missing something from the team, being at the top?
It’s natural that we’re not as good in the first half, because we have the ball often, the other team is fresher, and their players are able to defend more. You need a good first half to create more opportunities later.
It’s normal. Before the match, we talk mainly about the difficulties in the first half. After that, there are many factors. Football is complicated. If you try to find just one thing, it doesn’t work. You have to find the positives and the negatives.
Luis Enrique: “I hope to have Marquinhos for many years to come.”
Marquinhos, how do you assess his development and the 500-match milestone?
Tomorrow, if Marquinhos is in the squad, he will play his 500th match, which is an incredible number. It’s significant. It’s wonderful to see a player with such a remarkable and important career. He has been the captain for a long time; he’s a different kind of player, a true leader, a very important player for the team. I hope to have Marquinhos for many years to come.
Does the setback against Bayern mean you have to be more careful?
Of course, it’s difficult to manage every time he comes back. We’ll be even more careful than usual. We love having him, but we have to be vigilant.
Kolo Muani said that his failure stemmed from himself; how do you explain his lack of success?
I can’t say anything; he’s an international player, a very high-level player. It’s difficult for many players to be important in a team of this level. He has the ability, but it’s difficult to analyze or assess his potential.
Luis Enrique: “The difficulty lies there. If you analyze Tottenham, they have international players and a strong team.”
Can the match against Tottenham in August serve as a benchmark, or is the context too different?
It was a match with very particular conditions. It’s a good memory because it ended well. But it’s less good if I think about the first 60 minutes. We had a lot of difficulties. Many things have changed, and I think that right now we are better prepared to be a dominant team.
But the difficulty lies there. If you analyze Tottenham, they have international players and a strong team. They started well in the Champions League. We’re back in this competition, and we’re very happy, plus we’re playing with our fans.
Luis Enrique: “It’s important for us to know that there are very young players in the Academy who can help the team.”
How do you assess the work of the youth academy? What quality do you like most about the young players?
It’s important for us to know that there are very young players in the Academy who can help the team. It’s also important for them to know that there’s an opportunity, even if it’s difficult to play for PSG.
Quality depends on each player, each position; there are many factors. We’re not afraid to give opportunities if we see the talent. There are still players who can help the team. It’s a very good time for the youth academy players and for us.
Luis Enrique: “We have to dominate the game, keep possession. That’s the objective for this match.”
Surprised by Tottenham’s approach against Arsenal? Are you expecting the same?
I think they’ve changed since their match against us. Against Arsenal, they did what they wanted to do. We’re ready, in any case. I don’t think there will be a big change. We can see their idea, what they want to do. We have to dominate the game, keep possession. That’s the objective for this match.
Several players have played on the right, but none have established themselves. Do you want rotation or will you face difficulties due to Doué’s absence?
I can’t think about just one absence. We have to prepare and adapt. I have to be optimistic because many players are decisive and we’re scoring a lot of goals. As a real team, it’s important to have different options in every position. If we analyze the team’s performance at the start of this season, it’s very positive. I’m very happy.
Luis Enrique: “You have to be ready to be competitive throughout the entire match.”
What is the main difficulty against English teams?
It depends on each team, on their style of play. You have to be ready to defend, know that they can play long balls, that there are set pieces. Every foul can be taken long; they are physically strong.
But we’re used to it; we look for players with technical quality first. They have that too; they are internationals. They are a top-level team. You have to be ready to be competitive throughout the entire match.
Luis Enrique: “It’s very positive around the team, and I’m trying to stay calm.”
The importance of resilience?
I think it’s a characteristic the team has shown for the past two years. We’ve been able to overcome difficulties. That’s positive. I’m trying to balance what you’re saying. If you’re very positive, I’m less so. If you’re negative, I’m positive. I want balance. Right now, it’s very positive around the team, and I’m trying to stay calm.
How will you compensate for Hakimi’s absence? Can you get him back before the AFCON? If not, is it wise for him to be selected?
I’m the PSG coach; tomorrow we play against Tottenham. I haven’t been thinking about the AFCON today.
