On Wednesday, in a rescheduled match from Matchday 26 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) will face Nantes (17th) at the Parc des Princes (kick-off at 7 pm, CET). On the eve of this match, PSG coach Luis Enrique answered several questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique: “It’s normal to have few reinforcements. It will be the same next year.”
Could the packed schedule and rotation affect the goalkeepers? Could Chevalier play?
Our clear objective is to win the match; that’s the most important thing. Tomorrow, we’ll decide on the best lineup for that.
You’ve chosen to recruit very little since last summer, which means little rotation. When you see the performance of the substitutes against Lyon, do you have any regrets?
We won everything we won last year thanks to the type of players we have as substitutes. They train very well and bring their qualities when they have to play. It’s the same this year. Last year, we were champions of all competitions; it would be ridiculous to sign a lot of players. It’s normal to have few reinforcements. It will be the same next year.
Luis Enrique: “It’s up to you to analyze and judge.”
Nasser Al-Khelaïfi’s 800th match as PSG president, are you proud to be by his side?
Absolutely. What we found almost three years ago was a club with the will to win everything. There’s a top-level sporting management team. I wish him many more matches as president. It’s a near-perfect combination for me.
The starting lineup tomorrow?
What interests me, after three years, if you don’t know how I manage this… It’s up to you to analyze and judge. I maintain my usual opinion. You have to look at the whole picture to analyze what I think is best.
Can Vitinha play against Bayern Munich?
There are two very important league matches left. We’ll calmly and quietly see if the injured players can return. I don’t know.
Luis Enrique: “It’s a new situation, and I’m happy to have more options in midfield.”
Beraldo has played more in midfield; can you explain this choice?
He didn’t have an opportunity as a center-back, but we saw and were given this chance. I think he’s had some very good performances. He has the technical qualities; he’s strong. I like the way he’s played these matches. It’s a new situation, and I’m happy to have more options in midfield.
Does Vitinha’s absence speed up Ruiz’s recovery?
No. We don’t change our minds because of an injury. There’s a normal timeframe for regaining fitness. He needs more matches and minutes to get back to his best. But we’re happy; he played 20 minutes against Lyon, which is positive.
Luis Enrique: “We’re looking to get back to winning ways. We need to win points.”
Are matches against struggling teams the hardest to prepare for?
Yes, that’s normal, especially at the end of the season. They’re very motivated, they’re playing for everything. It happens every season. It will be very difficult tomorrow, harder than against Lyon, and we saw the result. We’re aware of that. We’re trying to prepare for the match in the best possible way. We’re looking to get back to winning ways. We need to win points.
Are you taking it easy at the start of the season to finish strong? Are people not patient enough at the beginning of the season?
That would be very easy to say. I’m aiming to win every match, from start to finish. You have to look at all of this with the right perspective, with experience. It’s normal for the team to finish stronger. That’s positive. It’s also a motivation for the players to strive to win competitions.
Luis Enrique: “If you come to the Parc des Princes to have a leisurely meal, forget it.”
Has there been a lot of movement in the number 6 position this season? Did the movement falter against Lyon?
No. When you start a match by conceding those two goals from the first two chances, it’s a more complicated game. You have to be able to overcome that; it’s not easy, especially against a good Lyon side. It will be a very difficult match tomorrow. If you’re coming to the Parc des Princes expecting a relaxed game, forget it.
Nantes has quality players; we need to win three points. Forget about an easy match. It will be very difficult. It’s important to start in the best possible way. There’s a difference between PSG and Nantes, that’s clear. But we have to show it, and that will be difficult.
Luis Enrique: “What I would like is for a player to make the most of every minute he has at PSG.”
What does it mean that Mbaye isn’t in the squad on Sunday? A bad attitude? Competition?
That’s simply what I’m saying. Every minute played at PSG should be special. I have no regrets. Every minute, you have to be ready. He was ready, but I expect much more from all the players. That’s competition. A player can be out of the team, it’s not a big deal. What I would like is for a player to enjoy every minute he has at PSG.
