Since coach Luis Enrique’s arrival at Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023, the press has had a hard time finding out about his choices for the starting line-up. A well-kept secret evoked by L’Equipe this Wednesday ahead of the match against Stuttgart in the Champions League (matchday 8 of the league phase).
“The managers, like the others, have learned to familiarize themselves with this specific method.
“In the days and hours leading up to the match, as was the case on Tuesday at Stuttgart’s MHP Arena, where the session failed to provide any clues, the players remain in a state of near-total vagueness as to the team they will be fielding.
The managers, like the others, have learned to familiarize themselves with this specific method. During the briefing, around two hours before the match, the eleven are presented on a large screen, with a flip chart next to it in which the Spaniard describes the desired animations and movements. Before this sequence, less than five of them know his intentions.
“Even those who have left Luis Enrique’s staff or inner circle years later refuse to give up the Mister’s recipes.
Rafel Pol, Guillem Hernandez, his assistants and psychologist Joaquin Valdes share his thoughts with his staff during what he likes to call “cappucino time” – the morning of matches. Always with the aim of creating a totally hermetic bubble. Woe betide anyone who divulges any trade secrets. Even those who have left Luis Enrique’s staff or inner circle years later refuse to divulge the Mister’s recipes.
Clearly, Luis Enrique is keen to keep the line-up secret. It’s logical, and fully in line with his principles. In particular, the fact of having maximum competition every day. The players don’t know if they’re going to start the next match, or even take part in it. There are no guarantees, and you have to give it your all to be ready to help the team whatever happens.
The Parisians have clearly understood this, and today we’re seeing a fine display of collective energy. Even if there are bound to be a few frustrations. But that happens anyway, because the players necessarily want to play and they can’t all take part.
The Parisian coach is also keen to surprise his opponents. This goes hand in hand with his competition, as it’s difficult to know his choices in advance, as well as a few tactical moves. So we can’t reveal anything. It’s frustrating for the press, but interesting for PSG.
However, we were amused to see in L’Equipe’s article that the Parisian staff are also observing the opponent’s warm-up, in order to perhaps identify a player who is out of form or an element to exploit, as well as a possible tactical surprise. It’s all pretty standard stuff.
