Fabian Ruiz, Paris Saint-Germain’s 29-year-old midfielder, spoke to Sky Sport Italia on Wednesday ahead of the Champions League final against Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena on May 31 (CET). He spoke mainly about this eagerly-awaited encounter and coach Luis Enrique.
Ruiz “It’s going to be a tough game, but we have to keep playing our game.”
Is this the best season of your career?
Yes, you could say it’s one of the best. We’re doing very well this season, everything’s falling into place. But there are still two trophies to be won, so we’ll have to wait and see. I hope to be able to say at the end of the year that this is the best of my career.
You’ve certainly started to study Inter. As you’re used to managing the team’s tempo in midfield and being at the heart of the game, what idea do you have of the way they play? What will be the key tactically?
We know their strength: they’ve reached the Champions League final twice in three years. They’re a very organized team, tactically prepared, with top-quality players. It’s going to be a tough game, but we have to keep playing our game.
If we continue to do what we’ve been doing all year and execute what the coach asks of us, everything will be easier. But we know they’re a great team.
Ruiz “Those who don’t run can’t play with Luis Enrique.”
Luis Enrique is a coach who works hard on the pitch and with every player. He even apologized for not taking you to the World Cup in Qatar. How has he helped you improve?
We have a good relationship. I’ve known him since the national team, and he was the first to call me. You know, he’s “crazy” about soccer, and he works hard on each and every one of us to improve first as players, then as people. He likes to keep possession of the ball, which, according to my conception of soccer, is an advantage, because it makes me feel comfortable.
And then there’s a lot of pressure, from the whole team. Anyone who doesn’t run can’t play with Luis Enrique. We’ve grown a lot over the course of the season: at the start, we found it hard to adapt to his style, but little by little we understood the game he was asking us to play, and the results came.
Ruiz “I always cheer for Napoli and, when I can, I follow the matches with Kvara.”
Inter, your opponents in the Champions League, are also involved in the fight for the Scudetto against Napoli, your past. Is it true that you follow the matches with Kvaratskhelia and cheer them on together?
Naples has been in my heart ever since I left. I spent four wonderful years there, and I have a great relationship with all the fans, with the players who are still there, and with all the friends I’ve made over the years.
I always support Napoli and, when I can, I follow the matches with Kvara. I wish everyone that they can win the last game at home and win the Scudetto. They deserve it.
