On Saturday, aspart of Matchday 10 of Ligue 1 2024-2025, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) will take on Lens (5th) at the Parc des Princes (kick-off 5pm, broadcast on beIN SPORTS in France). On the eve of the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered a number of questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique “He brings things we needed.”
Willian Pacho is the player who plays the most, why does he get out of the team so little?
I think that since last season, I’ve often talked to you about the difference between what I say and the statistics. The figures don’t lie. It’s obvious that he’s one of those who plays the most. We had in mind that his signature was important.
He’s adapted well. He brings a lot of the things we needed with his winning duels, his sure-footed passing and the fact that he wins a lot of balls in his own area. It’s an important arrival.
Luis Enrique “Numbers don’t lie”.
You’re scoring more than last season, but we saw again in Marseille in the second half that there’s a lack of realism. How can we overcome this? Is it an obstacle at the top level?
Since the start of the season, I’ve had a very different feeling from you. You see problems where I don’t. We’ve scored a lot. We’ve scored a lot, we’re in first place and you’re worried. I don’t see any problems.
In the Champions League, there’s one match where we weren’t up to scratch, but otherwise we were way up there. We deserved to win. After that, it either happens or it doesn’t. There are different factors. Numbers don’t lie.
Luis Enrique “A player who plays little can turn things around with training.”
A complicated moment for Kolo Muani, how to explain it? Are you counting on him?
I count on all the players in my squad. Then, as I’ve already said, my decisions come from the matches and the coaches.
A player who doesn’t play much can turn things around with training. I have no problem giving or withholding playing time depending on what I consider best for the team.
How do you keep him in the right frame of mind? Is he always in good spirits?
Yes, there’s a very good atmosphere in the group. We have players who bring a lot to the table. Everything’s going well on a footballing and personal level. Even though they’re at a big club, they do what they like, they’re well paid, so it’s normal to be happy.
Luis Enrique “I’m very optimistic with what I see.”
Is the rise of the midfield collective or individual?
I always want players who contribute a lot to contribute even more, and those in difficulty to contribute as much as possible in every situation. That goes for everyone.
Our figures are exceptional. So I see the positive, a team that’s growing as part of a project. Even if you regularly point out the negative. I’m very optimistic about what I see.
Luis Enrique “When there’s this competition, the level rises in training and in matches.”
What do you expect from the midfielders with and without the ball?
I spoke to them today and I hope they’ll score a lot of goals, make decisive passes and be really decisive. There are 5 midfielders, or even 6 with Lee Kang-In.
No one should let their level drop, otherwise someone else takes their place. It’s the same for everyone. When there’s this competition, the level rises in training and in matches.
Luis Enrique “We want him to be a reference player on and off the pitch.”
Does Hakimi deserve the African Ballon d’Or?
To be able to say that, I’d have to know all the contenders inside out. But that’s not the case. But if you say that Hakimi is the best right-back in the world, it’s true that I’ve never played against a better right-back than him.
But he still has room for improvement. He’s still discovering himself as a player and as a man. We want him to be a benchmark player on and off the pitch. It’s not easy, but I feel he’s doing better than last year.
Luis Enrique “It’s very interesting to imagine, but difficult to explain.”
How long does it take to prepare training sessions? Is it difficult to vary on a daily basis?
I’m the visible head of the staff, but there’s a very high-level technical team, with lots of people. A lot of us come up with ideas for training, and we have different strategies for working. You have to control the workload.
But I’m a coach who’s always trying to change training sessions and game situations, to get the players out of their comfort zone. It’s very interesting to imagine, but difficult to explain.
Luis Enrique “I’d like the future to be with him and his team. I have no doubts.”
How are things going with Luis Campos? Would you like him to stay?
We’re in daily contact; if we don’t see each other, we’re on the phone. I started this project with Luis Campos. But we don’t know what will happen next. I’d like the future to be with him and his team. I have no doubts.
Should there be silence tomorrow for the floods in Spain?
The soccer world is showing more solidarity every day. For example, we have a Foundation that helps on a daily basis. People have been affected here, so we’re grateful for all the solidarity we can muster. I don’t know if a minute’s silence will help, but the most important thing is concrete help. It’s great to see the world of soccer pulling together.
Luis Enrique: “Maybe I’m more comfortable”.
This PSG has more space to create, more freedom to find solutions?
I’ve been very comfortable since my first day here. The situation was different. I was able to plan with Luis Campos and the president, even though certain signings had already been completed.
Now we’ve been able to prepare and I’m perhaps more at ease. I know everyone better, I’m not new. I hope to be able to continue along this path and work at a high level. But last season was already very positive.
Luis Enrique “What counts is the team”.
How far can you take Barcola when he’s scored 8 goals?
I don’t know and I don’t think about it. If he doesn’t score in 3 games, you’ll say something else (laughs). It’s a marathon. And if Barcola doesn’t score, other players will.
That’s how a team works. Nobody has an extra burden. Everyone carries the team. There’s no pressure on any one player. What counts is the team.
Against Lens, the best defence in the league, should you always attack or take your time?
We’ll see tomorrow.
Luis Enrique “to be unpredictable for the opponent and predictable for us.”
Dembélé in the middle against OM, how did you prepare him?
Thanks to the players in our squad, we have the ability to continually change positions. One of our objectives is to get the best players into the right position as often as possible.
This can happen on the outside. But sometimes you can find them in the middle, and that’s great because it’s closer to the ball. It happened in this match, but there’s no great change in the way we play.
We dominated before the red card, so I’m very happy with what I’m seeing and I have confidence in my players. What we want is to be unpredictable for our opponents and predictable for ourselves. I think our chances came from this mobility.
The LFP’s sanction against the Auteuil Tribune?
I completely condemn any kind of violence, whether verbal or physical, but all I see is sanctions for PSG. The tribune is often closed and yet we often hear these chants.
But of course I condemn this violence.
