Paris Saint-Germain defeated AS Monaco 2-4 on Wednesday at the Stade Louis II in the advanced match of Matchday 16 of Ligue 1 2024-2025. After the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique spoke at a press conference. The Spaniard spoke about the victory, the refereeing and the year 2024.
Enrique “Ligue 1 is still very open.”
“I think we played a very high-level match. The first half saw us generate a lot of action against a team that knows how to defend and keep the ball. We also managed to control them and limit their counter-attacking.
And the second half started with that penalty, which enabled Monaco to turn the match around. But at the time, I still had the impression that a draw was possible. In the end, we managed to equalize and then take the lead to secure this very important victory.”
Did you knock out Ligue 1 with that win?
“No, not at all. Six days ago we were barely five points ahead and today we have a game more than Marseille, there’s also Monaco in great form, so no Ligue 1 is still very open.”
Enrique “We’ll always show desire”
Is PSG in its best moment of the season?
“It’s a good thing that some players have returned from injury. But I feel that as a team we’re making progress as long as the players take advantage of every minute of game time, show that they want to play. We’ll always show desire and I think this is a team with a lot of potential.”
Enrique “We never criticize refereeing, soccer is a contact sport.”
A word on refereeing? Particularly after Gianluigi Donnarumma’s injury?
“These are very bad play actions but I don’t think there was any intention to hurt. We never criticize refereeing, soccer is a contact sport. It’s sad what happened, but I have nothing more to say about it.”
Midway through the first half, you switched positions between Joao Neves and Warren Zaïre-Emery, any explanation?
“Simply because when I can have certain players capable of playing in different positions it’s something I take advantage of. We’d had quite a few counters from Monaco on the flank so I decided to make a decision on that versatility without using a change.”
Enrique: “We don’t depend on one player, we are a team”.
How would you sum up this calendar year?
“The assessment is essentially made in June, and at that time I was very satisfied with my team’s record. But so far I’m very satisfied with the performances.
We deserve more points in the Champions League, but that’s something we’re excepting. As for everything else, I’m delighted. There’s an improvement, we don’t depend on one player, we’re a team. So everything is positive.”
