On Saturday, as part of the 33rd day of Ligue 1 2024-2025, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) take on Montpellier (18th) at the Stade de la Mosson (kick-off 9pm, CET). On the eve of the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered a number of questions at a press conference.
Enrique “a sort of puzzle that we’re trying to manage both generally and individually.”
A lot of players are rested, do you also need physical and mental recovery?
“We have a set plan that depends on the amount of playing time and travel the players do throughout the season. Of course you have to balance that with playing time to get into the right conditions for the two finals we still have to play. It’s a sort of puzzle that we’re trying to manage both generally and individually.”
Will PSG be stronger for the two remaining finals?
“Tomorrow we play Montpellier, then Auxerre. It’s not just the days off that allow you to switch off. The training sessions and matches also allow us to prepare and give all the players playing time.
There are a lot of different situations, a lot of different players, and we’re going to deal with it all individually.”
Enrique “players also choose what’s right for them.”
How is Ousmane Dembélé doing after being rested?
“Very well, he’s one of the players who had a bit of time off and was training today. He had the staff’s permission not to come to the Campus, but he decided to come. We advise a rest period, but players also choose what’s good for them.”
Enrique “I think the timing is perfect.”
Will the final against Reims on May 24 be a perfect test for the Champions League final on May 31?
“I don’t worry too much about that sort of thing. I’m more concerned about whether the players will rest well, recover well, so as to be competitive and able to pursue the club’s objective.
Of course, there’s no better way than to prepare for one final with another. I think the timing is perfect.”
Could these last two Ligue 1 matches be an opportunity to see some young players?
Without a doubt. Especially given the number of players. If I want to rest players who have accumulated a lot of fatigue, obviously I need to bring in players from the training center. It’s a great opportunity for them, but also for the team.”
Enrique “when you’re fit and have the right mentality you’re competitive no matter what the competition.”
How are you mentally preparing for these two finals ?
“I don’t think we need to separate these two things, we don’t need to. Being a professional footballer is one of the best lives, at least for us who love soccer. And I don’t think today’s players can concentrate on anything else with this calendar.
Our aim is to get them as rested and fit as possible for training. After that, when you’re fit and have the right mentality, you’re competitive no matter what the competition.”
Enrique “The problem is that one of the two, Inter Milan or PSG, is not going to get what they want”
Are you ready to make history?
“Everyone is ready to make history, including the fans, who will be experiencing their first real final, different from the one during the COVID year. It was different without them. And if there’s one team that deserves this final and to win the Champions League, it’s PSG.
But too much positive energy is dangerous. Now, I knew that PSG was founded in the year I was born, 1970, so I hope this connection proves true. I hope this connection proves to be true, and that it helps us achieve our goal of making history. The problem is that one of the two, Inter Milan or PSG, isn’t going to get what they want. But I hope it will be our first Champions League.”
Enrique “our mentality is to open up the club to young people from the training center.”
What is your objective and vision with the Parisian training program?
“Very clearly we want to give players from the training center a chance. But that doesn’t mean offering them playing time, one of the best teams in the world. You have to have the level to be part of this team.
The youngsters at the training center are lucky enough to have already immersed themselves in the club’s culture, language and so on. But I believe that this mix we have is very beneficial, but the titis have a requirement, they have to have a level that the club expects. But very clearly our mentality is to open up the club to youngsters from the training center.”
