On Saturday, as part of Matchday 20 of Ligue 1 2024-2025, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) take on Brest (8th) at the Stade Francis-Le Blé (kick-off 5pm, CET, UTC+1). On the eve of the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered a number of questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique “These are different competitions.”
Does tomorrow’s match help prepare for the play-off?
They’re different competitions. I think the good thing is that in the Round of 8 there’ll be an extra French team. That’s good. But the matches have nothing to do with that. We’re first in Ligue 1, which is played over time. The Champions League will be played over two matches.
I’d like to point out that a lot of people don’t value French soccer, despite the fact that all 4 French clubs made it out of the league phase. It’s worth pointing out.
Donnarumma has announced his desire to extend his contract with PSG. He’s more dominant in the air. Have you worked on this aspect?
I’m not going to talk about the mercato, even if I understand your interest. But you have to talk to the people concerned. I’m concentrating on soccer, with the aim of progressing in all competitions.
Luis Enrique “We’re happy to be playing so much, it means we’re in the competitions.”
You’ve still got 7 games in 23 days, there’s still time on the mercato, Hakimi is partially suffering from a sore hamstring…How do you see the end of the mercato?
You know more than the doctors?! You’re a doctor. I don’t have all the data. I don’t know if it’s true or not. Like all teams, there are players who have problems. Like Warren Zaïre-Emery, who took a blow. That’s normal. We’re happy to be playing so much, which means we’re in the competition.
We’re ready for anything in the mercato, for a departure or an arrival, that’s our job. I really like the team I’ve got, but we need to develop it and bring out all its virtues.
Luis Enrique “Tomorrow is Ligue 1, and we want to keep up our momentum and win.”
Do you have to be more innovative against Brest, because you’re going to know each other perfectly? Or do we have to stay the same?
The most innovative thing is to play Brest tomorrow. They’re a great team, who work very well. They’re at an exceptional level, they’ve got good momentum and they’re doing what they want to do very well. They have great ability, they know how to attack and defend very well. That’s why she’s here.
We’re ready to present our best version. Competitions are different. In the Champions League, a mistake can be very costly. Tomorrow, it’s Ligue 1, and we want to keep up our momentum and win.
What’s changed in your approach to the LDC?
I don’t know what it was like before. We went into these matches with the necessary ambition. 3 games ago, we only had 4 points. But we’ve been able to change the dynamic, and with the help of our supporters, we’ve been able to be a team that follows its line in the game by being more effective.
Luis Enrique “We want players who want to come. ”
How important is it for you to hear Donnarumma reiterate his love for the club?
It’s very positive! We want all the players to want to continue the adventure, and the same goes for possible recruits. One of the first questions is how they want to help the club. We want players who want to come. When someone wants to come, they have to want to represent the town and the club.
It’s not easy being a PSG player. You have to be able to overcome difficulties. If there’s any doubt, it’s not the right profile. So I like to hear Donnarumma’s desire. That’s the first thing we want.
Was Simons’ departure his wish? Did you talk to him?
I knew him, that’s the mercato. It’s a question for the sporting director. I’m in daily contact with Luis Campos. That’s the solution. The player makes his own decisions. There are consequences.
Luis Enrique “You have to say things, when it’s positive or negative.”
How do you explain Dembélé’s form?
That’s a question for him, not for me. I think the vacations were very good for him, he was fine at home. But you have to ask him. As a coach, you want to help your players. It’s not a question of tapping them on the shoulder. You have to say things, when it’s positive or negative.
But I’ve defended Dembélé from day one, he’s one of our first recruits. The role of coach is a thankless one, you always have to go against the grain to calm a player when things are going well and push him when things aren’t going well.
We’re very happy with Dembélé, but we want him to give even more. He needs to get even better at making decisive passes. Like Barcola does. It’s just as important as scoring goals. The players have to help each other and work for the team.
Luis Enrique “We’re on the right track”.
Any advice for a player who would become PSG coach?
You have to have enough experience. It’s difficult with the big teams. But I’ll give my advice on my last day here.
It’s in difficult times that you know who you can count on. Is it important to have had the support of the whole club when it was most difficult?
It’s essential. A project like this, which started last year, has an important message. I’ve always had the support of the club, and that’s the best way to work. I’ve never made a secret of the fact that I’m happy here. We’re on the right track.
There are always ups and downs, that’s normal. But the team has to improve, that’s normal. There’s always room for improvement.
