Paris Saint-Germain beat Angers 1-0 (video highlights PSG/Angers) this Saturday at the Parc des Princes on Matchday 28 of Ligue 1 2024-2025. After the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique spoke at a press conference.
Enrique “it was a very nice afternoon, very nice and positive.”
“The start of the game was very difficult. Lots of players around the ball, a very organized team, very strong defensively. It took us a lot of action to finally score a goal.
I’d like to look back a bit, where during the season we won the title with a big gap, and this season we’ve improved our performance even further. Congratulations to the players, staff and all parts of the club.
And, of course, to the fans. Who have, who are and who will be present at every game, every difficult situation, to support us. I think it’s been a very good afternoon, very good and positive.”
Enrique “We also want to finish unbeaten”
Now that the title is official, how do you view your team’s season?
“We won the league title in April. That means we played at a very high level. But we still have goals and several important games to play, and we’re motivated to achieve them.
We also want to finish unbeaten, because that’s never been done in France. This can also help us in the French Cup and the Champions League.”
Enrique “I’m very lucky to have this profile of players with this level of intelligence.”
How is this team stronger than last year?
“Last season was very good, with titles and a fine run in the Champions League. This season I think it’s vastly better, not just in terms of statistics, but essentially in terms of the team’s ability to cope with any situation.
I’m very lucky to have this profile of players with this level of intelligence. Everyone is capable of attacking and defending with the same intensity. It wasn’t utopian to ask for a team that defends and attacks with eleven men, and today that’s what I see.”
Enrique “We’ve been very fresh mentally these last two months”
Your team seems a little more disorganized since the return from the international break, what’s your opinion?
“We can’t have 9s and 10s at every game. Today the rival was very good, caused us problems and it was difficult for us to find solutions. We’ve been very fresh mentally over the last two months. I’m sure the team will fly this Wednesday.”
Enrique “It’s also very important for him to have a team that highlights his qualities”
Hakimi has been nominated for the title of Best African Player. Do you think this year will be the right one?
“Hakimi is a full-back and a midfielder. I think a coach’s profile like mine suits him very well. A coach who thinks about attacking and defending aggressively.
It’s also very important for him to have a team that makes the most of his qualities. Hakimi is always there to help, whether in the attacking or defensive phases, or when pressing. He’s the player who’s played the most minutes this season and I’m very happy to have him in my team.”
Enrique “You don’t win if your team isn’t very good.”
For you, is it an opportunity or a weakness to have Ligue 1 dominated by PSG?
“Nothing is easy, whether it’s the way we did it this year or last year, nothing is easy. There’s never been an easy game, I’ve never had that feeling this season.
People can look at the point spread and think it’s easy, but it never is. You don’t win if your team isn’t very good.”
