On Sunday, as part of the round of 32 of the Coupe de France 2024-2025, Paris Saint-Germain take on Lens at Stade Bollaert (kick-off 9pm, broadcast on beIN SPORTS in France). On the eve of the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered a number of questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique “I don’t think I’m going to rotate particularly. I have a lot of options for fielding the team.”
How would you sum up 2024 and what do you hope for 2025?
The balance sheet is positive, very positive. We have high hopes for the coming year.
Are you planning to rotate or keep the same starting eleven tomorrow?
Normally, in the first round of the Coupe du France, it’s not usual for such teams to face each other. So I don’t think I’ll be turning the team around. I’ve got plenty of options when it comes to fielding the team. We’re the reigning champions and we want to win again, so tomorrow’s game is no different.
Luis Enrique “Our obligation as a club is to be alert to opportunities. But it’s very difficult to improve the squad.”
Between a striker, a winger or a contract extension that’s finally official, what would you like as a Christmas present?
A new contract? (laughs) I’m very happy with my squad, which has improved a lot. Our obligation as a club is to be alert to opportunities. But it’s very difficult to improve the squad. We want to develop the talent of our young players. For this mercato, we have a very good team.
Are you worried that the winter break will break the positive momentum? What improvements would you like to see at the start of 2025?
No, I don’t think so. The break doesn’t stop the team, it continues to develop. The mercato is an opportunity to improve, but it’s very difficult. Last season, we had more than 10 recruits. There’s no rush. But if the opportunity to improve the team is there, fine. Otherwise, we’ve got a great team and the aim is to develop it.
Luis Enrique “He’s lucky the shoe doesn’t catch the eye.”
How is Donnarumma doing?
He’s not in any particular pain, and even if the injury is hard to see, it’s not having any serious repercussions. He’s lucky the shoe didn’t hit the eye.
Could Barcola’s slump in form be a positive sign for a competitor?
I’m happy with Barcola. After the first 10 games, he was Maradona to you. Suddenly, you don’t like him because his numbers have dropped. So he’s another player…but it doesn’t work like that. I’m very happy with him, with Ousmane, with Lee…with everyone involved.
Even if the aim is always to improve. In any given year, every performance goes up or down. The aim is to be competitive throughout the year and move forward. When a striker scores, it’s perhaps a better period.
Luis Enrique “If you ask Lens, it’s probably not the draw he wanted. Neither did we.”
Are you under pressure tomorrow?
If you ask Lens, it’s probably not the draw he wanted. Neither are we. It’s not ideal, but that’s how the draw works. We have to play against Lens, that’s the way it is. Last year, we were drawn against Ligue 1 teams and it wasn’t a good draw for them either. It’s an interesting competition, but a difficult one.
Is Nuno Mendes ready?
In principle, yes, the discomfort has gone and he’s ready.
Luis Enrique “I like the players to rest, you have to be able to disconnect.”
Do you give the players a program over the vacations, or is it a complete break?
In this case, it depends. We’ve had a very full schedule, in January too if we qualify in the competitions. There’s still one match left to decide what we’re going to do during this period. It also depends on the players and their needs.
Some need to rest, to disconnect. Others need a workload. Some are all players, because they haven’t had much time to work. It’s individualized, there’s not one standard for the team. I like the players to rest, to be able to switch off and pull themselves together.
Osimhen is still being talked about at PSG, and the club is back in touch with him.
I don’t talk about players who aren’t at the club. Thanks for your time.
