Paris Saint-Germain drew 1-1 with Nantes (video summary PSG/Nantes) this Saturday at the Parc des Princes as part of Matchday 13 of Ligue 1 2024-2025. After the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique (54) spoke at a press conference. The Spaniard spoke of the frustrating result and the areas for improvement.
Luis Enrique “there’s a road to follow: insist, insist, insist until the end.”
What didn’t you like about the match against Nantes?
“I think I behaved as usual on the touchline, but I needed to let off steam for a second. I think we played a full match in every respect.
Once again, soccer rewards teams who score. It frustrates the players, me too, everyone. But there’s a road to follow: insist, insist, insist until the end.”
Luis Enrique “I want them all to improve, to reveal themselves, to train hard”
Are the two changes concerning Ousmane Dembélé and Zaïre-Emery linked to the defeat by Bayern Munich?
“No, that’s a message I like to get across. I have no complaints about my players. But I want them all to improve, to reveal themselves, to train hard when they’re not playing or warming up, for the first-choice player to think about losing his place, for the striker to think about scoring more goals, for the defender to think about giving his all.
Any information gathered during the matches and any result gives you even more information after a win. I try to use that to the benefit of my teams.”
What did PSG lack to miss that second goal?
“No, usually to win a match you need 5-6 clear-cut chances, we had a lot more. The rival had a move and managed to score. We should have had a bit more foresight, confidence, precision and a bit of luck.”
Did you use Donnarumma as your first-choice keeper?
“I have three very good goalkeepers who I try to keep in top form. Whether it’s Safonov or Gigio, I prepare them exactly like the other players, until I decide that one is more ready than the other.”
Luis Enrique: “It’s impossible to stay so long with such bad luck.”
How do you explain the fact that the opposition scores with so few chances?
“Inexplicable. In my career, my team has the best statistics for chances created and the lowest rate of chances conceded. Inexplicable, I can’t explain it.
That’s going to change, because it’s impossible to stay this unlucky for so long. My team is a quality team, and my players have a lot of quality. But we have to change this cycle and it’s going to change.”
Luis Enrique “He’s a space player, a matador who generates a lot of chances”.
What did you think of Gonçalo Ramos’ performance?
“You’ve asked me so many questions about the false number 9, that today what’s going on? It’s a joke, but it’s also a bit of reality. If we go four games with a real number 9 without scoring, what are you going to say? The solution isn’t a single player. It’s a collective performance.
Coming back to Gonçalo Ramos, he played his first full match, which is a very important point. He’s a space player, a matador who creates a lot of chances. He’s a very interesting player for us, and I’m pleased with what he’s contributed.”
Have you considered moving Achraf Hakimi further up the pitch?
“He only plays laterally when the keeper has the ball. But most of the time, when we have the ball, he’s a player who plays very high up. He’s a striker, and we know how good he is at creating space. To be higher up, he’d have to be with the fans (laughs).”
