On Tuesday, as part of the French Cup 2024-2025 Round of 8, Paris Saint-Germain (1st in Ligue 1) take on Le Mans (6th) at the Stade Marie-Marvingt (kick-off 9.10pm, CET). On the eve of the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered a number of questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique “When you win, you haven’t done everything right. When we lose, we haven’t done everything wrong.”
Is Kimpembe ready?
Perhaps.
The Coupe de France is full of surprises, so are you even more demanding against a lower-ranked team?
These trophies are made up of surprises, and that’s the beauty of soccer. A team from another division can knock you out. We have to do things the normal way. But we see that Ligue 1 teams are eliminated.
1 goal conceded in the last 7 games, does that bother you?
I think there’s a lot behind the result. When you win, you haven’t done everything right. When we lose, we haven’t done everything wrong. You have to balance things out. That’s why coaches don’t last long; they’re always going against the tide. I’m satisfied with my team’s statistics, even if there’s room for improvement.
Luis Enrique “He’s always reliable”.
Are you happy with Ramos’ role as a substitute? Him too?
I’m satisfied with all my players. Over the course of a season, there are performances that are a little lower, normal, exceptional. It happens. I’m very happy with Ramos’ mentality. He’s always at his best, no matter how much playing time he gets. He’s always reliable.
Luis Enrique “I think we’ve improved the team and brought in one vital thing: competition.”
How do you judge PSG’s winter mercato? Is it over?
When does the mercato end? At 11pm? So there’s still time. But I’m still happy. Since I arrived, we’ve been doing it with the club’s management. We think it’s been exceptional. I think we’ve improved the team and brought in something vital: competition. Unai Emery talked about it. We’re looking for exceptional quality in the team.
Can Dembélé settle in as a 9?
He’s always been a different player, whatever his position. He can dribble past 2-3 players, create decisive passes and score goals. The aim is always the same, to find him where there’s space. I’ve always said he’s an exceptional player.
But we know the press. Barcola was super Barcola, then he was criticized and now he’s super Barcola again. You have to be ready as a PSG player. It’s a team sport. A good moment is shared and in a difficult moment you’re supported.
Luis Enrique “you have to control the work and give rest at times.”
Is Neves available tomorrow?
Yes, he has no injuries. There’s just a very intense schedule, he could have been fairer but he has no injury. We control the workload. We can’t say everything so as not to give our opponents any clues, but we have to control the workload and give him a rest at times.
How long will Zaïre-Emery be out?
I’m not a doctor, but this injury came on suddenly. It happens, unfortunately.
Luis Enrique “In every competition, you have to choose. Sometimes it’s short term, sometimes it’s longer.”
Could you recruit at right-back? What are the options in the squad?
Yoram Zague can play, Warren can too, João Neves, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Mayulu…After that, they have to play well and we have to achieve our goal. I like the versatility in the squad. I’m very happy with the quality of the squad.
Are you going to ask for Donnarumma’s extension?
My voice doesn’t count (smiles).
Is it important not to think short-term when making choices, and to have patience when it’s difficult?
That depends. Like everything else. It depends on the needs of the team, the behavior of the player, the rules of the team, like the schedule. As a coach, you have to make decisions every day. You have to look at the short, medium and long term. We’ve got room to maneuver in the league, but never in the cup. Then there’s the Champions League. In every competition, you have to choose. Sometimes it’s short term, sometimes it’s longer.
