Paris Saint-Germain beat Lens on penalties (1-1 in normal time) this Sunday at Stade Bollaert in the round of 32 of the Coupe de France 2024-2025. After the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique (54) spoke at a press conference. The Spaniard spoke about qualifying, his players’ performance and his tactical choices.
Enrique “Matvey Safonov is an exercise specialist”.
What is your analysis of the match?
“It’s a situation we could have expected. When you play 90 minutes, away from home, against an opponent of this level, you have to be prepared for that. We had prepared for that. Matvey Safonov is a specialist in the exercise, and he showed it again. We have high hopes for 2025. We’re very happy with this result, especially as it was a hard-fought win.
How would you sum up the first half of the season?
“If you focus on what the team is doing, it’s positive. Then there were those two Champions League games against PSV and Atlético which put us in a tricky situation, but I’m very happy with what I see in my team.”
Enrique: “It’s almost unheard of to play a first-round cup tie at this level”.
What did you say to your players at half-time?
“It was difficult because Lens were very strong physically and very motivated too. In this type of match, you have to know how to play a good first half. But as I’ve already said, it’s almost unheard of to play a first-round cup tie at this level – it’s almost a final.”
PSG will face Espaly in the next round, do you know where that is?
“If I’m not mistaken, it’s not too far from Lyon, is it? A little to the south? (laughs) I’ve done my homework! (laughs)”
Why wasn’t Marco Asensio present on Sunday?
“I took the players who were best prepared for this match.”
Is the alternation between Donnarumma and Safonov bearing fruit?
“Yes, I think so. Arnau (Tenas) is ready too, even though he hasn’t played a minute. My decisions explain that my aim is to have no player who slackens off.”
