Paris Saint-Germain secured a 0–6 victory against Villarreal this Tuesday at the Estadio de la Cerámica, as part of the fourth matchday of the 2026–2027 Champions League league phase. Following the win, PSG head coach Luis Enrique spoke at a press conference.
Luis Enrique: “This was a test of the team’s ambition—of the players’ ambition.”
How do you feel after this match?
When you start a match like this—being highly effective in your pressing and in the chances you create—you can end up scoring four goals in 15 minutes. That changed the complexion of the game; it turned out very differently from what we had anticipated.
Did two of the goals come from your pressing?
I’d like to highlight one thing: the fact that we always play the same way, regardless of the stadium or the scoreline. Today served as a test of the team’s ambition—of the players’ ambition. It’s a real pleasure. When you don’t look to defend a result, but instead focus solely on playing your own game, that’s a positive thing.
Luis Enrique: “Showing everyone that we have the ambition and the desire to keep winning.”
Despite injuries and various issues, you remain unfazed. Is this the strongest collective group you have ever managed?
That’s very hard to say. I’ve had the good fortune—the joy—of coaching many top-tier players. But we are certainly benefiting from that experience; we feel comfortable. And that goes for my coaching staff as well as the players. What we value most is delivering performances like this and showing everyone that we have the ambition and the desire to keep winning.
Luis Enrique: “You have the opportunity to show that you’re up to the required level.”
Mayulu was sidelined at the start of the season, yet he remained very positive. Is he the symbol of your group?
I wouldn’t single out any one player as the symbol. The symbol is the entire group of players who saw limited minutes early in the season. But with injuries and the sheer number of matches, you get the chance to prove you’re at the right level. That’s the case for Mayulu, Ndjantou, Boly, Beraldo, Dro—everyone in that situation. What’s remarkable to me is the intensity with which they train to ensure they’re ready. That is an absolute prerequisite for playing. When you have that kind of collective ambition, it’s wonderful.
Luis Enrique: “Our way of showing respect for an opponent is to play with the same intensity at all times.”
What are your thoughts on a night defined by a record-breaking number of goals? Do you focus on the lopsided scoreline, or the way the match began?
The start of the match, without a doubt. Once it’s 0-3, no team can really cope with that. You might try to change the course of the game, but it’s incredibly difficult to overcome. That’s only natural. I don’t particularly like results like this. Our goal is to show respect for our opponents by playing the same way throughout the entire match. Just like in a Champions League final—we never considered sitting back or trying to defend a lead. Our way of showing respect for an opponent is to play with the same intensity at all times. Given the circumstances in Villarreal today, it’s very hard for them to manage a scoreline like that. I’m never happy to see an opponent struggling to that extent.
Luis Enrique: “It’s absolute nonsense.”
How do you explain those first few minutes—that whirlwind start? After the score reached 5-0, you seemed annoyed when the substitutions were made.
In football, I’ve seen teams score three goals in five minutes. You can’t just sit back and defend a lead; you always have to stay alert. No team can avoid running into trouble after conceding three goals in 15 minutes.
As for the three substitutions, I think the rules need to be looked at. It’s absolute nonsense. If the score had been 0-0, we would have taken off three players—but because one of our players gave a little shove, he got a yellow card and was allowed to stay on the pitch. If I’d known that, I would have had all three of them give a shove! We need to be serious and respect the referees, but the rules themselves also need to be scrutinized. It’s just ridiculous—three of our players ended up having to stay on the sidelines. Is this child’s play?
Luis Enrique: “The real competition begins in February and March.”
Twenty goals in four matches—no other team has ever scored four goals in just 17 minutes; you’re making history once again. You must be satisfied, right?
Yes, but for now, it doesn’t mean anything. There will only be one champion come the day of the final. The goal is to be there. It’s great to qualify, but if we don’t win it all, it’s pointless. The real competition begins in February and March; that’s when we’ll have to show our true level.
