On Saturday, during Matchday 27 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) will face Nice (15th) at the Allianz Riviera (kick-off at 9:05 pm, CET). On the eve of this match, PSG coach Luis Enrique answered several questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique “very happy to see Chevalier on the list.”
Are you considering postponing the match against Lens?
I’d like to wait for further news. Every team is trying to find the best conditions for the competition. But we understand each team’s interest.
Chevalier has been called up to the French national team as the third-choice player. How do you keep him motivated?
Did Deschamps say that? Okay, okay… What I can say is that I’m very happy to see Chevalier on the list. For me, he deserves it. I stand by my players. My opinion on his level is clear; I’m the coach who signed him. My opinion hasn’t changed. I’m very happy to see him; I would call him up too if I were the national team coach. It’s a very positive sign to have confidence.
Does his call-up mean you might play him?
I have nothing to add. External factors don’t change my opinion. I don’t need to know what people outside the club think. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Luis Enrique: “This isn’t the time to search, but to have certainties.”
Liverpool, a fixture that brings back memories?
Of course, it’s a great memory. It was a very different match. Last year, when Liverpool were the best team in Europe at that time, playing at a very high level. Coach Arne Slot spoke about us like no one else; it’s a great memory. We’re eager to play in these quarter-finals. It will be a classic.
Are there 12 players vying for a Champions League spot again? Who will replace Barcola?
I’d like to have more than 12, 13, or 14 players, but for that, when the final stages of the season arrive, I decide who the players are ready. All the performances reflect that. There’s the level I see. I would be very happy to have more players who show who is ready. This isn’t the time to search, but to have certainties.
Luis Enrique: “They know there’s no favorite.”
Are the roles reversed compared to last year with Liverpool? Are you the favorite?
Ah! In the end, we are the favorite! I’m very happy (smiles). It’s pointless, I always want to spill the beans about what’s happening around PSG. I’m trying to control the dressing room. I’m lucky to have an incredible team and very intelligent players. They know there’s no favorite. There are two teams that know how to play this type of match. It will be very positive and exciting to play such matches.
Several players will be traveling to America during the break, is that a shame?
What’s certain is that the PSG players will be away on international duty. I think there will only be one player who isn’t going. What’s certain is that playing on Friday will be difficult. The players will be back on Thursday, that’s nice (smile).
Luis Enrique: “We have to adapt, and we know how to do that as a team.”
How is Barcola doing mentally? The injury came at the worst possible time for him?
Absolutely, you’ve seen it. Bradley has been very important for us these past few months. He’s the striker with the most minutes, and he’s done some very positive things. It’s a shame to have an injury; it’s worse with one of our most decisive players. But that’s football, that’s life; we have to adapt, and we know how to do that as a team.
A difficult away game in Nice?
There are no easy away games. It’s vital to win. We need three points. It’s difficult to say exactly what kind of game we’re expecting. We think we’ll have more of the ball. The opposition is struggling, even if they’ve improved recently. We have to get three points and improve our away form in the league.
Luis Enrique: “He hasn’t trained.”
Is Neves available tomorrow?
No, of course not. He hasn’t trained. There’s no injury, but you have to manage things carefully, pay attention to your fitness. It will be normal for the end of the season.
Luis Enrique: “We’ve shown our level, but we can improve.”
The team is gaining momentum, how do we continue?
There’s the international break, which is always difficult to manage. There are important matches, it’s the national team. These are friendlies, it’s different. I hope the players can play a little less. This allows us to face the end of the season, but also the World Cup. We’ll see what happens during the break. I still hope we can improve. We’re a very difficult team for everyone. We’ve shown our level, but we can improve.
