Dani Olmo, 27-year-old attacking midfielder for Barcelona and Spain, spoke to L’Equipe ahead of Thursday’s Nations League semi-final against France (kick-off 9pm, CET)). In particular, he spoke highly of Luis Enrique, the Paris Saint-Germain coach he worked alongside when he was coach of La Roja.
Olmo “he has created an incredible base and idea for the game.”
“There’s one person, in particular, who bridges the gap between the Spanish team and PSG, and that’s Luis Enrique.
His ideas for the game are very clear, and he knows how to convey them to you perfectly. He’d already done that with us in the Seleccion (where he was coach in 2018, then from 2019 to 2022), where he created an incredible foundation and idea of the game.
Thanks to him, we’ve won everything we’ve won (Nations League 2023, Euro 2024), and at PSG, in just two years, he’s managed to make history. I’m very happy for him, for all his staff and for Fabian Ruiz.
Olmo “He makes you believe you’re the best in the world.”
How does Luis Enrique manage to pass on his winning gene ?
He makes you believe you’re the best in the world, and you end up believing it. We were at Euro 2021 (eliminated in the semi-finals by Italy, 1-1, 2-4 on aggregate), and at the 2022 World Cup (eliminated in the last 16 by Morocco, 0-0, 0-3 on aggregate): we didn’t get the results, but we deserved better. The game we produced and the way we dominated our opponents were clearly influenced by the attitude and confidence they gave us.”
It’s nice to hear such glowing words, and Luis Enrique can’t help but appreciate them. Enrique has had to deal with a great deal of criticism from the media over part of the season. They suggested that he could “lose the group” at PSG, and that the players were getting annoyed. However, there was nothing but positive feedback from the Parisians and his former players.
That’s not to say there aren’t occasional tensions and disappointments. But, overall, the Spanish coach seems to have understood certain keys to building a team and developing players. He didn’t take charge of Barcelona, Spain or PSG by chance. Just as he didn’t win the Champions League twice just by luck or the talent of his players.
Luis Enrique has real qualities as a coach, including the human aspect, which was underlined by several players. Not forgetting the tactical aspect, of course. But that’s perhaps the most visible point on the pitch. It’s interesting to see Olmo talk about confidence, as we’ve seen so much of it at PSG this season. Despite their difficulties, the players have remained serene and relied on their game to move forward. In the Champions League final, the game was played with a striking serenity, that of a team and players who are sure of their strengths.
