Paris Saint-Germain won 1-2 against Lens this Saturday at Stade Bollaert on Matchday 18 of Ligue 1 2024-2025. After the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique spoke to beIN SPORTS. The Spaniard gave his thoughts on his team’s problems and the solutions they found to win, before turning his attention to Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Manchester City.
Luis Enrique “Today’s result wouldn’t have affected the team, but it’s true that it’s better to arrive with a win.”
That’s what PSG have to do, starting from a position where they’re very technically correct ?
It was a very difficult match. Very complicated. Our opponents defended very, very well. We had to be aggressive – they’ve got personality and character too. It was very hard to get this win. At the very start we took a goal, which made it more difficult for us. After that, we were efficient enough in the context of the match.
Is the next match on the minds of the players ?
Without a doubt. Today’s result wouldn’t have affected the team, but it’s true that it’s better to arrive with a win.
Luis Enrique: “We took better advantage of the space.
Did you have to make any changes at half-time ?
Yes, depending on how difficult it is to play against teams like Lens, who defend well. There was hardly any space and we generated more chances. We took better advantage of the space.
Was it a great match for Paris Saint-Germain ?
We were good enough to turn things around in a match that required a certain technical rhythm. To win here against an opponent like Lens, you have to be good. You can play better or worse, but this is undoubtedly a real opponent.
Luis Enrique “We’re looking for verticality, but we have to be wary of transitions”.
Congratulations on the changes. You’ve done a good job of analyzing the team’s difficulties.
We try to help the team and sometimes we succeed and other times not. I think the first half was very good until the 20th minute when we lost control. There were several corners and that goal, and that strengthened the opposing team.
Did you have trouble getting going in the first half? Were you afraid of Lens’ transitions ?
When an opponent closes in on the central axis with 8 players and leaves the sides free, you try to move quickly and avoid horizontal passes. We’re looking for verticality, but you have to be wary of transitions. They made things difficult for us.
Any reunion with your friend Pep Guardiola from now on ?
A great friend. I love his vision of soccer, and I love mine too. The Parc des Princes is waiting for us. We’ve got to win this game, we’ve got to win every game.
