On Saturday, as part of Matchday 18 of Ligue 1 2024-2025, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) take on Lens (7th) at Stade Bollaert (kick-off 5pm, 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 “There are still a lot of games to win to be champions.”
How mature is your team?
Sincerely, I think the team is in one of the best moments of the season with what I see, especially in training.
Do you feel you’re already champions with your lead?
No, Marseille are 7 points behind us, Monaco a little further back. The calendar is very demanding. There are still a lot of games to win to be champions.
Luis Enrique “I find him on the same line as always.”
Nuno Mendes approached by other clubs and concerned about talks for his future?
No, I find him on the same line as always. It’s a question for him, not for me. I can see him doing very well.
What lessons can you draw from the 2 matches against Lens this season?
Each match was very different.In the 1st game, the team was pressing harder, while in the second, Lens were more in a waiting game.Everything was difficult, and that will be the case again tomorrow in a very special stadium, with a great atmosphere. It’s a great motivation for us.
Could you protect your players tomorrow against an aggressive opponent?
No, you have to play soccer and enjoy yourself, there’s nothing to protect.
Luis Enrique “Football is among the most important things in the least important things in life.”
What are the reasons for hoping for a great PSG match at Lens and against City?
I believe that tomorrow we’ll see a very fine match, which will be intense and difficult. It was like that the last 2 times.
Are you expecting a PSG player today?
You can answer, I’ve got nothing to say (smiles).
Barcola said he was having personal problems. How can the club help him?
I hadn’t heard the statement, but Bradley is behaving as usual.But I agree, soccer isn’t everything in life. To sum it up, soccer is among the most important things in the least important things in life.
I see Barcola as usual, he was also decisive, notably with a goal, that can help him. He can still improve. All players have their ups and downs, there’s nothing linear about top-level soccer.
Luis Enrique “The aim is to use players according to the team’s interests.”
Could Barcola play on the right again? How have you prepared the partnership with Hakimi?
As usual, I’m open to all possibilities. He can play in every attacking position. He played a lot on the right for France at U21 level. He’s versatile and I like that. The aim is to use players according to the team’s interests.
Could Tape replace Skriniar? Is Marquinhos the only right-handed defender left?
We can play with two left-handed central players. It’s a cliché to say that we couldn’t, that we need different feet. Strangely enough, it’s not a problem with 2 right-handers. There’s no problem in planning the team, we’ll see at the end of the mercato who’s come and who’s gone.
Luis Enrique: “I don’t limit my players.
PSG’s few shots from the edge of the box and a little further out, is that secondary for you?
It’s a priority, every opportunity to score is good. We’re more into combinations, but you have to use everything. I don’t limit my players. But depending on their profiles, there are things we do more of. We scored from outside the box and I’m very happy about that.
Your late daughter’s birthday came and went, how do you keep going?
It’s easier than it looks. I have an incredible memory: my daughter loved parties. I’m sure where she is now, she’s still celebrating. I have a huge memory with her from the Champions League final she won with Barça, when she planted a flag. I hope she can do the same with PSG.
We all love the good things, but we also have to overcome the bad.
Luis Enrique “We’re optimistic and prepared for what’s to come.”
An obligation to have a good game and a good result before Manchester City?
We’re in a good frame of mind. We know how important the upcoming Champions League match is, you’ve been talking about it for weeks. It would be better to arrive with a win, but we’ll have time to talk about the match. We’re optimistic and prepared for what’s coming.
Do you ever try to pick out a player? What are the criteria for choosing a starter?
There are many different reasons. If I have 6 attacking players, if I see them all on fire in training, then they play. If there’s a tie, then there’s a turnover. What counts is that the team is solid and compact, and that everyone can play. But when a player is in a state of grace, I use him more.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve liked to see that everyone can play. There’s competition, so players are performing at a higher level. There are other ways of looking at it, and that’s respectable.
Luis Enrique: “I don’t think he’s at the right level for the competition yet.
When will Dembélé and Marquinhos be back?
I don’t know yet. Marquinhos is fine, but he couldn’t train today. Dembélé has a virus, nothing serious, but he can’t play tomorrow.
Are there any priority positions to recruit in this mercato?
It’s an objective that can’t be achieved over one, two or three years. There are limits, there are players leaving. But we’d like to have 2 players per position, even though we know that’s almost impossible.
Do you understand how important Kimpembe is to the club?
It’s simple, I’m delighted and I really want him to get back to his best. But I don’t think he’s up to competition level yet. I’d love to have him, with his leadership qualities, but it’s hard to explain without it being misinterpreted. No coach wants to use a player who is in the best possible condition. When he is, he plays. Today, that’s what I see.
Luis Enrique “Vitinha has the same role as last season.”
Will Vitinha have the keys to the game like he did against Real Sociedad?
(smiles) Vitinha has the same role as last season, he’s a key, important player. He’s at a very high level. Vitinha’s evolution is very positive. I like what I see, whether he scores more or fewer goals. His performances are top-notch.
I hope he continues to do so. Of course, if he can get better statistics, all the better. Whether or not he’s in the opposition camp depends on the circumstances and the opponent.
