On Saturday, during Matchday 7 of the 2026-2027 Ligue 1 season, Paris Saint-Germain (6th) will face Strasbourg (11th) at the Stade de la Meinau (kick-off at 5:15 PM, CET). Ahead of the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered several questions during a press conference.
Luis Enrique: “It’s important to take the 3 points in Strasbourg.”
Only 5 journalists? That’s wonderful (laughs).
You frequently change your starting lineup—have you always believed this is better for the group? Or is it related to the new intensity of the Champions League or PSG’s new style of play?
That’s an interesting question, but I’d rather not explain anything (smiles). Whenever we put together the lineup and the game plan, we consider the short, medium, and long term. It’s important to assess the condition of the players and make the right decisions. It’s crucial to secure the 3 points in Strasbourg—to win every match and prepare in the best possible way. As for analyzing our thought process, I’ll leave that to you.
Luis Enrique: “I know he will be criticized this season and in the seasons to come.”
Akliouche is a reserved person; do you appreciate that trait? What is his character like?
He’s an international player—you know him better than I do! I should focus on the player rather than the person. At this elite level, it all comes down to your footballing ability. He’s had a brilliant start. He can play almost anywhere. I’m pleased with how he’s adapted. But I know he will be criticized this season and in the seasons to come—that’s just how it goes. I don’t focus on his goal tally; his overall performance is at a very high level. I’m very happy with how quickly he has settled in.
How can you ensure the attitude remains just as good in Ligue 1 as it is in the Champions League?
We prepare for every match in the same way; we want to win. The league title is a clear objective. It’s natural for there to be differing opinions, but we want to create chances and win—that will be the case in Strasbourg. It’s fundamental. We enjoy having that kind of pressure.
Luis Enrique: “We want to keep winning.”
What about the criticism regarding the level of Ligue 1—that it allows you to rotate your squad and gives you an advantage?
That’s a classic line of criticism when it comes to PSG. Before I arrived, I kept hearing that PSG couldn’t win the Champions League because of the level of Ligue 1. When you win, plenty of people complain. That’s normal; it’s to be expected. There are always solutions. We just want to keep winning.
Did Maresca also suggest that it’s easy to rotate the squad?
That’s just noise. It is what it is—you have to accept it.
Luis Enrique: “He is a clear starter, a fundamental player.”
Could Zaïre-Emery become even more important to the team?
I don’t see any player who could be more important. He is a clear starter—a fundamental player. Of course, there are only 11 players on the pitch, but he has been a starter ever since I arrived here.
Luis Enrique: “Showing that we aren’t afraid.”
Was the first goal against City particularly significant? Is it important that the team continues to play [their style] despite intense pressing?
That was a magnificent piece of play in that regard. It takes personality to do that. It’s up to me to give them the confidence to play that way—or, alternatively, to play a long ball. It depends on the specific situation. Football is fluid; you have to adapt constantly. That is crucial. If I had to highlight the most important traits of this team, it would be their ability to play aggressively and courageously at all times—especially in away matches, where you really have to show your character. It doesn’t matter if we lose, as long as we’ve given everything and shown that we aren’t afraid. That is a defining characteristic of this team.
Luis Enrique: “When a match is this lopsided at halftime, the second half is bound to get wild. I don’t like that.”
How does a match shift—is it down to individual moments or tactics?
When you reach halftime with such a large margin, the opposing team naturally wants to fight back, so they start taking risks. It’s normal; it’s never just one single detail—it’s a combination of many things. They made several adjustments and scored an early goal. Playing away from home is always difficult. We were a bit fortunate, but it serves as a reminder that you have to stay focused at all times. If you want to win away from home at this level, you have to remain alert throughout the entire match. Otherwise, we might have ended up on the receiving end of a comeback.
We suffered, but we also created clear-cut chances to score more. Our opponent took a lot of risks—at one point, they only had one defender left at the back. We just lacked the freshness to capitalize on that. When a match becomes this unbalanced by halftime, it’s bound to turn into a wild affair. I don’t particularly like that; I prefer to be in control (smiles). But you have to adapt.
Luis Enrique: “It’s not a matter of age.”
Does the Luis Enrique style require time? Is it easier for someone like Akliouche, who is a bit older, and more of a process for a younger player like Dro?
No, it’s very simple (smiles)! You just have to run like crazy and play beautifully. It comes down to technical quality—which all our players possess—and the right mentality. You have to be prepared to attack and defend at all times. It’s not a matter of age.
Dembélé said, “Vacations suit me well”—what do you make of that?
He’s the boss! If he wants a vacation, he’ll get one (laughs). He likes to laugh, and I enjoy his approach to football. I’m open to giving the players what they want. He’d love to start every single match, but that’s impossible—that’s my responsibility. As far as “vacations” go, that just means coming to the Campus to train!
Luis Enrique: “It’s a clear source of motivation.”
What kind of match can we expect tomorrow?
A difficult one, much like in recent years. They’re a different kind of side compared to who we usually face—very young, but with real quality. Playing against us is a special motivation for them. We’re used to it, and it serves as motivation for us, too. If we win, we’ll move into the top three in the league. This is a clear motivation.
