On Tuesday, in the second leg of their 2025-2026 Champions League round of 16 tie (PSG won the first leg 5-2), Paris Saint-Germain will face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (kick-off at 9 pm, CET). On the eve of this match, PSG coach Luis Enrique answered several questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique: “We’re used to playing these kinds of matches. We’re focused on performing at our best.”
Ousmane just said that Paris shouldn’t change their mentality. What do you think is the best solution?
It’s clear we’ve only played the first match. There’s still the second. The second match is always different, the return legs are different. A team is eliminated for the moment and is preparing to change that. So, it’s different and very complicated. We’re used to playing these kinds of matches. We’re focused on performing at our best.
Luis Enrique: “We’re capable of playing against any top-level team.”
Has the team regained its confidence?
Confidence is a special thing. What I can say is that we can be better or worse in a match, but what we’ve shown in every match is that we’re a real team, very difficult to play against. We are capable of playing against any top-level team.
Dembélé mentioned the match against Aston Villa; you also mentioned it?
It was a clear example of what a football match can become. We prepared with the intention of winning, of scoring. But there will be difficult moments; you have to know how to control them. The objective is to win. But we will have moments of suffering.
Luis Enrique: “He was able to change his way of playing.”
What are Dembélé’s leadership qualities?
We talked about Ousmane a lot during the year. If I think as a coach, it’s incredible to have a player like him. He was able to change his mentality. We changed his position; he was a typical winger, and he was able to change his way of playing. It’s a real pleasure to have him. As a fan, it’s always great to see a player like Ousmane, who can do everything with and without the ball. He’s a different player, which is very positive for us.
Luis Enrique: “Football is an incredible sport.”
The predictions have you qualifying, do you see a trap?
There are four matches with this difference in the second leg, we’ll see how many teams qualify. Football is an incredible sport. In the first leg, it was 2-2 after 80 minutes. Then, we dominated at the end. But it was balanced. Tomorrow, we’re ready to play. It will be tight, complicated. We’re used to this type of match. Our league campaign was different from other teams. The difficulty will be there, we have to know how to manage it.
Luis Enrique: “This isn’t a spa, it’s a Champions League match.”
How do you avoid being at 90% tomorrow?
It’s impossible to let your guard down in the Champions League, impossible! Chelsea will have the ability to create chances, it’s impossible to let your guard down. This isn’t a spa, it’s a Champions League match. We have to take advantage of this difficult moment to change the dynamic. We want to control the game, but it’s impossible. It’s always tough to play this kind of match. It’s very different from the first leg.
Ligue 1 is called the “farmers’ league,” but PSG has shown it can beat Premier League clubs?
That’s a joke I made, and it’s stuck with me. English clubs are top-level, and we can show our level too. That’s what we want to do. We played against many English teams last year, and it’s happening again. We’re trying to get the better of them. We show respect for everyone. This is our path.
Luis Enrique: “We’re going to do our best; we’re eager to play.”
How do you guide the team? Was Dembélé’s honesty important?
It’s always motivating to lead teams in matches like these, with the atmosphere. For us, as a team and the reigning champions, it’s a huge motivation. We’re trying to focus on the important things. And on the details, which are always important against teams like these. We’re going to do our best, we’re eager to play. We have an advantage, but we know it can disappear very quickly. We’re focused.
Last month, a Chelsea executive said you wouldn’t be the right choice as coach? Are you surprised? Would Chelsea be a good club for you?
I have a very important match tomorrow, what you say isn’t important. I’m the PSG coach and I’m happy, that’s the most important thing.
Luis Enrique: “I have enough problems of my own.”
A reaction to the players’ discussion about the referee before the Newcastle match?
I was surprised. Liam Rosenior spoke about it maturely. You can see things, but as long as there’s respect, everything’s fine. We’re focused on ourselves.
A difficult time for Chelsea? How is Rosenior coping?
I have enough problems of my own (smiles). It’s time to talk about tomorrow’s match and PSG. I respect Liam and I hope he achieves a lot of success, but not until after tomorrow.
Did you speak with João Pedro after the tension of the Club World Cup? Chelsea has some injury problems; is this an opportunity for you?
I explained it last summer and I have nothing to add. Regarding the second question, I won’t talk about Chelsea’s issues.
