On Wednesday, as part of the Champions League 2024-2025 quarter-finals (return on March 15), Paris Saint-Germain take on Aston Villa at the Parc des Princes (kick-off 9pm, CET). On the eve of the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered a number of questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique “Sometimes we succeed, sometimes we fail”.
The physical side of things is always important in a match like this. How do you manage to avoid injuries? Is intensity still a key to the match?
Every coach has his own style, his own way of managing. But there’s no doubt that Unai Emery is an expert when it comes to player performance. He always gets the best out of them. How we do it goes with everyone’s philosophy when we make our decisions.
I’m sure that as a coach I try to be as precise as possible. Sometimes you succeed, sometimes you fail. That’s true in life. I’m glad we’re injury-free. Marquinhos is suspended, so we’re ready.
Luis Enrique “We have to do what we have to do and deserve to win on the pitch.”
Is PSG favourites?
I think it’s the same. Against Liverpool, the betting was that we had less of a chance. There’s no such thing as favourites. The teams here deserve to be here. On the road to the title, a lot of the favourites have been eliminated. We have to do what we have to do and deserve to win on the pitch.
What do you think of Unai Emery’s work?
It’s great to see him again. Our friendship has been built up over many games. It’s always a joy to face one of the coaches with the greatest possible European trajectory. He pays attention to detail, he’s a great coach and a great team. It’s improved with Unai Emery.
Luis Enrique “They have different registers.”
Which team profile poses the most problems for you? Does Aston Villa have that profile?
Over the course of the season, we’ve come up against different profiles. I can’t say what the profile is, because we’ve managed effectively in general. Aston Villa are a bit like us, with a lot of versatile players. The team is hard to guess.
Especially after the winter mercato. It’s a team that can play with a low block or press high up the pitch. They have different registers. It’s an open confrontation, and very difficult for both teams.
Luis Enrique “It doesn’t matter who the player is: the team is there.”
What difference does it make to have the captain absent?
Nothing, it doesn’t change anything. He can’t play. I’ve said it here almost every time, what’s the most important thing? It doesn’t matter, he can’t play, he can cheer everyone on. It doesn’t matter who the player is: the team is there.
Does it bother you that Asensio can play against you?
No, it doesn’t bother me at all. I’m delighted he can play. He hasn’t had the playing time here and he’s had this option. It’s good that he’s playing and I know him better than any of you, I’ve shared a lot of moments with him. He’s been important here too. I know him perfectly well, he’s a top-class player with a great track record.
Luis Enrique “The key is to control emotions.”
Teams that go all the way to the LDC often perform well at the end. You’ve been on a roll for 3 months now, can you keep it up or do you need something new?
I think we’ll continue to see a great version of PSG, with the same game and intensity, maybe more. I have no problem with that. I’m convinced of the work done so far. You can see the energy in training. I’m not worried at all.
What worries me will be adapting to what’s on offer in these two matches. You have to control your emotions. There’s a lot going on. You have to control your head. The heart and legs will be there, and so will the fans. You have to take advantage of the energy. The key is to control your emotions.
Luis Enrique “I don’t think it’s the positioning of a player that changes things.”
Your 100th match at PSG tomorrow, what are you most proud of?
It’s just numbers, nothing really important. It’s a matter of pride. I hope to play 100 more games, but you have to earn it and get better at it.
Aston Villa love transition, so will Hakimi’s position be key to the match?
I don’t think it’s the positioning of a player that changes things. It goes way beyond that. Aston Villa know how to get the ball out and manage space. They know how to attack very well, especially with their 2nd line. They have very different profiles. We’re going to have to have an excellent defensive level and be very effective defensively. It’s difficult when players come from the middle.
Luis Enrique “All the players have profiles, with things to improve.”
The opponent may be more experienced, so are you going to talk to your players to avoid pitfalls?
No, because controlling emotions has nothing to do with age, but with the head, the mind. It’s a general thing. Aston Villa play very good soccer, without violence. We’ll be seeing teams that are similar but different. The match will be complicated and intense.
How do you help Doué make the right choices in the game?
All the players have profiles, with things to improve. Even a player like Marquinhos, with his experience. It all comes down to intent and ability. Gifted, in certain aspects, can still improve a lot.
But I’m very happy with my players. The players who arrived this year performed well straight away. We were able to celebrate the title on Saturday, and now we’re really looking forward to the challenges at the end of the season.
Luis Enrique “This competition allows absolutely no slacking off. Not for one minute.”
The team showed great mental strength, how do you work on that?
If we’d lost the penalty shootout against Liverpool, we wouldn’t have this strength (smiles). Mental strength doesn’t depend on results. It’s something you have to pass on to the players. There’s also mental strength when you lose. I’m not making any connection with winning.
But it’s obvious, this team, if you don’t know their age, you can see that the players have overcome the difficulties. Like last year in the quarter-finals. I think we’re going to keep going. But there will be defeats. We’ll be mature enough to face them too.
Luis Enrique: “That’s the strength of this team, all the players will be ready.
You’ve made some poor starts recently, so how important will tomorrow’s start be?
There’s absolutely no room for complacency in this competition. Not for a minute. We’re not going to fall into it, and neither are Aston Villa. We won’t get through if we’re not at our best throughout the match. We want to make as few mistakes as possible and be as prepared as possible.
Will Nuno Mendes and Neves start?
I can’t give any indications to Unai Emery (smiles). But all the players who are going to start will be ready, as will the substitutes and those who won’t be taking part. Everyone wants to play. That’s the strength of this team – all the players will be ready.
Which match should you choose to repeat the performance?
The one against Liverpool at home, that’s the one I want, with a different result of course. Otherwise, we could play a bit worse and get a better result. But that’s soccer, it was a great performance and we lost.
Luis Enrique “I wish him the best, except for these 2 games.”
Does Unai Emery lack media recognition?
I don’t know, I don’t watch the press. But if he’s lacking, please give it to him. He’s got great results, he’s made his teams progress, he’s got unlimited energy. I wish him all the best, except for these 2 games.
What makes you proud with the evolution of the team?
The energy in every game, the consistency. We’re happy, we’ve got a team that wants to play soccer.
