On Wednesday, as part of the round of 16 of the Coupe de France 2024-2025, Paris Saint-Germain (1st in Ligue 1) take on FC Espaly (11th) at the Stade Marcel-Michelin (kick-off 9pm, broadcast on beIN SPORTS). On the eve of the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered a number of questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique “I can see from training that he’s ready to help.”
An ideal match for Kimpembe to play in?
Tomorrow is an ideal match to see certain players, yes. After talking to Presnel to see if he feels ready to play, he’s feeling much better. He’s been able to train with the team. It’s important to talk to a player to find out how he really feels. I can see from training that he’s ready to help.
Could Skriniar and Kolo Muani play one last time?
Tomorrow morning, we’ll give the list of players who have been called up. I like them to have the information before you do, so you’ll see tomorrow.
Luis Enrique “There will be rotation so that each player gets the playing time we deem appropriate.”
More rotation tomorrow or Saturday against Lens?
I’d add the previous match against Saint-Etienne to that. We drew up a schedule after the vacations, even though there was a lot of work to do at home. The aim is to get to the games in the best possible condition. We have to manage our playing time. That’s the formula we’re aiming for. There will be rotation, of course, so that each player gets the playing time we deem appropriate.
How do you assess Mayulu’s development? What can he bring?
It’s a gamble we took at the club, and I love this player. I said when he chose to stay that it was great news for us. He’s had the misfortune of an injury, he’s lost possible playing time. But we’ve seen some very good things and I’m happy to have this competitive player, capable of being a starter. I’m happy with more players.
Luis Enrique “It’s hard to get better. But we’re working on it.”
What are you thinking about for tomorrow’s starter?
Very good question, I’ll think about it tonight. We’ve got 3 goalkeepers who could be starters. I’ll have to think about it, knowing that a player may not like a choice.
Do you like the profile of Kvaratkshelia, announced as being close to PSG, even though you don’t like talking about players who aren’t in the squad?
No, I like to, but I don’t (laughs).
Can the PSG mercato be an eventful one?
It’s a very different mercato from the summer one. In the summer, it’s more open, even if you can never do everything you want. In winter, it’s very difficult, the possibilities don’t open up much. As I said, I’m very happy with the squad. It’s hard to get better. But we’re working on it, and the club is paying attention. But it’s difficult, almost impossible, at this mercato, to improve the squad.
Luis Enrique “We’re going to play as we always do, giving our all in the PSG shirt.”
How do you prepare for the match against a National 3 club?
We have an analysis staff, and we’ve seen and analyzed Espaly. It’s a great thing about the Coupe de France to play against a different team. We’re going to play as we always do, giving our all in the PSG shirt. We want to win the competition.
It’s a match to show that at PSG there are no matches to relax. All the matches are tough, and you have to show desire at every match and every training session. It’s a very interesting competition.
Luis Enrique “He could play tomorrow, but it doesn’t make sense to take risks.”
Is it possible to think about games one after the other in management, without thinking about the big games?
I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that we have a general vision. We think about the month as a whole, to think about playing time, to see what’s needed in the short, medium and long term. But when it comes to preparation, I give the same consideration to Espaly. The Coupe de France is a competition that can be over in 90 minutes. This competition motivates us a lot.
How is Marquinhos doing? Any concerns?
No, there’s nothing to worry about. His injury is very slight, but we don’t want to take any risks. I don’t know exactly when he’ll be back, but it’s nothing to worry about. He could play tomorrow, but there’s no point in taking any risks.
Luis Enrique: “I’m not worried about the future, I want to live the present to the full and help this team grow.
How far have you got with your PSG project?
I’d say I don’t know how long I’ll be at PSG. 10 years? I hope so! (smiles). But it’s difficult to be at a club of this level for so long. So far in my career, I’ve stayed for about 4 years because I needed a rest and my energy runs out. But I’m not worried about the future, I want to live the present to the full and help this team grow.
There’s a lot of young talent out there, and I’m looking very far ahead. I want to move forward with the project, but I know how it goes. You have to give it your all every day to last for many years, and that wears on both the coach and the players. But right now, I’ve got the energy and motivation I need.
Luis Enrique “We’re preparing the team on this point.”
A new system against this team? Can Axel Tape play?
As far as Axel is concerned, yes, of course, if he’s in the squad tomorrow then he can play. Another thing is that we don’t adapt to our opponents. Unless we don’t have possession, which is rare. We want to have the ball, to be the team that manages the match.
In most games, teams change the way they play against us. Saint-Etienne didn’t. What we’re used to is the other team adapting to us. In this case, we’re used to it, with a low block. So we can move forward, but there’s little space at the end. We’re working on that.
The idea is to see where the opposing team is going to be, so we can make the most of the spaces that exist. That’s what we’re preparing the team for.
Press conferences in French?
(in French) I think I’ll do it before the 10th anniversary (smile).
