On Saturday, during Matchday 24 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) will face Le Havre (13th) at the Stade Océane (kick-off at 9:05 PM, CET). On the eve of this match, PSG coach Luis Enrique answered several questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique: “The problem is for the other teams who have to play against us.”
What are your thoughts on the draw against Chelsea? What are your memories of the Club World Cup?
The draw is fascinating, I’m very happy, as usual. We’re happy, it will be fascinating to play against one of the best English teams. There’s no revenge involved, these are different competitions. We have our own path, we’re used to it. We are the champions. The problem is for the other teams who have to play against us. We like being in this draw, it means we’ve qualified. The key moment of the season is coming.
A year ago, few people believed in the title. Is your team stronger today?
It’s different from last year, nobody thought we could win. Now, the situation is different. Everyone knows we can win. But to win, we have to improve our performance. We’re confident of that. What I’ve seen is positive, we have to adapt to the circumstances. What makes me optimistic is seeing our ability to manage different circumstances.
Luis Enrique: “We’re roughly at the same level.”
Ligue 1 is tougher than last year. Is it a problem to be able to rotate the squad less?
The difference is that there’s the Lens team, which is head and shoulders above everyone else, having an incredible season. But we’re roughly at the same level. If you consider all the situations, we’re more or less at the same level. We can’t always be at the same level. But Lens is in a very good moment.
It’s also motivating to have an opponent of this caliber. It will be difficult to win the league. We’re reaching the crucial part of the season, and they’re right there. We’ll see how they play in Strasbourg, whether they put pressure on us or not.
Luis Enrique: “A goalkeeper perfectly suited to our style.”
A possible rotation of goalkeepers around the Champions League? Can you tell us about Safonov’s character?
Matvey Safonov is a top-level goalkeeper. He has all the physical and technical attributes to be a modern goalkeeper. He has the ability to play with his feet, which we value. He’s a very intelligent goalkeeper, physically very strong, and very courageous. We defend by leaving space, there are dangers, but he’s a goalkeeper perfectly suited to our style.
He’s shown his character in recent years, with the ability to perform consistently, even when he’s had limited playing time. He’s a very good goalkeeper. I’m very happy to have three top-level goalkeepers, along with Renato Marin and Lucas Chevalier. What I want is to have the option of having all three goalkeepers ready to help the team. That’s easy to say, harder to do. As for the selection process, I don’t want to say.
Luis Enrique: “We have a lot of problems having three midfielders.”
Is Ruiz’s absence having a big impact? When could he return?
I can’t say. Some injuries heal faster than usual, others take longer. It’s a knock. It’s a real problem for us to have important players like Fabian out for a long time. We hope he’ll be back as soon as possible. I don’t know any more than what’s in the medical report.
Neves is also injured, Zaïre-Emery is playing a lot, Vitinha too. How do we prepare for tomorrow’s match?
That’s how it is, we have to adapt. For the past month, we’ve had a lot of problems having three midfielders. We have to adapt; we have versatile players. We have a lot of problems in midfield; it’s an important position. But we have different options. We have to think about the best solution for this match.
Luis Enrique: “We need to value everything we’ve done.”
You talk more about adapting than imposing your will. How do you feel?
Me? I’m ready. I can play, if you want (laughs). We have to adapt, even if we’d like to have all the players. That’s the case for all coaches. But it was impossible this season. Last year was very intense, and we’re paying the price, very clearly. They’re not machines, they’re people.
We have to adapt; it’s not possible to have all the players. We haven’t played a single Champions League match with the same 10 starting players. We have to adapt; it’s important for a coach. If I have to judge our team, with the average number of injuries, it’s significant. We’re in the Champions League, we’re top of the league. We’re adapting, and we want to improve. We’d like to play like last season, but we have to appreciate everything we’ve done.
Luis Enrique: “It’s a different team”
Could the team be very different with everyone?
We’ve played some very good matches, and if you analyze the team’s statistics, it’s even better. I’m happy with the way we train and prepare. The key moment of the season has arrived, and each week brings new obstacles. But the team overcomes these situations. Tomorrow will be another great opportunity for that.
What are your thoughts on Le Havre?
They’re in a different situation than in the past, with a bit more comfort in the standings. They’re a different team, with a lot of players in the center. We have to be careful. There haven’t been any easy matches in Le Havre. I remember last year. Playing away is difficult, and playing against Le Havre is always a close match. We want to keep winning. We are ready to perform. It will be difficult.
