Eric Roy, the Brest coach, has faced Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain numerous times in the Coupe de France and the 2024-2025 Champions League playoff round, in addition to Ligue 1. This is why he was invited by Canal+ to describe the transformation the Spaniard has brought to PSG.
Roy: “This PSG team is built for the next 5-6 years.”
It’s a team capable of anything. That is to say, playing on the counter-attack, but also developing a structured attacking game when facing deep-lying defenses. They have the tools to face any team, and especially any system or any formation.
What impresses you most about the work he has done in Paris?
I think he has managed to create a team, which has rarely been the case, I think, in Paris, except during Laurent Blanc’s tenure. Convincing players of this caliber to put the team first, that it’s through teamwork that individual talents can truly shine, is his greatest victory. And above all, what impresses me is the youth of this squad. I think this PSG team is built for the next 5-6 years.
Roy: “All the players were involved”
Between the first and second seasons, were there changes in the style of play?
Absolutely, because in the first season, even when we played PSG, I knew we’d have the opportunity to play, the ability to develop our game, and even create chances. Whereas in the second year, they never gave you a breather. As soon as we won the ball back, you were under constant counter-pressing, because every player was involved, everyone was running. It felt like a steamroller.
Roy: “The most dangerous thing is the runs coming from the second line.”
Any specific things you noticed in the game?
The most dangerous thing is the runs coming from the second line. These aren’t from forwards, but from midfielders. It could be Neves, Ruiz. It’s often in the half-spaces, not necessarily over long distances. Nuno Mendes also sometimes comes from the back line to ask for the ball in the box. There’s movement and freedom within a specific framework to trouble the opposing defense.
Roy: “It’s the perfect system for this PSG team.”
Dembélé’s repositioning?
By playing centrally, he can spread all over the pitch. He’s not a target man; it’s difficult to track him. He creates an overload in midfield. And he has runs down the wings; he draws a defender, which creates space for runs. It becomes very difficult for a defense. This is the perfect animation for this PSG team.
