On Saturday, as part of the 34th day of Ligue 1 2024-2025, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) take on Auxerre (10th) 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 “It’s time to celebrate the title”.
You didn’t celebrate the title much last year, what memories do you have of it? What are you waiting for tomorrow to savor?
Last year, I remember it as a mistake on my part. A serious mistake. I didn’t enjoy the festivities at the end of a year’s work. I hope to enjoy it tomorrow. Celebrations after a match like this are sometimes complicated, we have to take this match seriously. Like the rest of the year. If the result is there, great. If not, that’s fine too. It’s time to celebrate the title.
How do you deal with the slowdown in the calendar?
Looking around, I saw that there are only 3 matches left before the Club World Cup. This is the final moment, with a great desire to finish well. Tomorrow, we want to play a really good match to prepare for the finals.
Luis Enrique “He’s always ready to help.”
Ramos always has a smile on his face despite his reduced playing time, can you talk about him?
He’s an indisputable player for us, for me. Thanks to his behavior on and off the pitch. He’s played 1,800 minutes, he’s been involved in 24 goals. He’s always ready to help. He’s so mature that you forget he’s only 23. It’s a pleasure to have him.
Now that the preservation is over, it’s time to get ready?
There are 3 matches. We’re going to try to manage them as best we can, so as to arrive at the finals in top form. It’s not easy, but we’re going to try.
What should we focus on before the final: mental or physical recovery?
The same things as the points we used to get here, with these 3 games to play. We don’t want to change our game or our ambitions. It’s the peace of mind we’ve got, with a job well done.
Luis Enrique “We’re focused on finishing as well as we can.”
What’s your view on the evolution of Ligue 1?
If you look at the balance within the league, we’re way ahead, but I can’t remember any easy matches. I’m not taking any credit for the victory. I think we were very good. There’s a great battle going on for the Champions League, and I think that’ll be the case again next year. So much the better if it’s tight.
There’s also the Nations League at the end of the season. Are you worried about the accumulation of matches for next year?
We’re in the best moment of the season, a moment we’ve dreamed of. We’re focused on finishing as well as possible, and trying to win as many titles as possible. Next season, we’ll see.
Luis Enrique: “We came here with this mix”.
Dembélé has been training despite the rest, what’s your take? How is he doing?
Every case is individual, every player has his own situation. If a player thinks he needs to come in or have treatment, we’re open to his decision. We’re trying to manage rest periods and time off. There have been a lot of working days. The situations are incredible, but you also have to adapt to fatigue.
Your team is very young, but also has players with long careers. Do you encourage the youngsters to talk to the older players before the finals?
We’ve had a young team since last season, but it’s also experienced. They’re not mutually exclusive. And experience doesn’t mean you can’t make mistakes. Maybe there are fewer guarantees with less experience, that’s debatable.
But we’ve arrived here with this mix and it can take us a long way. It’s all very positive. Analyses are based on results. If we lose, it’ll be because of our youth. If we win, it’ll be something else.
Luis Enrique “I haven’t always been up to the job”.
Are you still learning your trade?
Of course I am. The day I stop learning, I stop. I stopped my playing career at 34 and I learned a lot after that. You can learn at any age. That’s always been my idea.
My obsession is to help the players as much as possible. I haven’t always been up to the task. There’s always room for improvement. My motivation is to improve the players and the team.
What do you think of Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment to the Brazil squad?
I think there’s no coach with a career like Ancelotti’s, with all his trophies. He’s a great person. I can’t wish for Brazil to win, I’m all for Spain. But it’s positive to see him with Brazil, it’s a good mix.
Luis Enrique “Everything is an invitation to improve as a player and as a team.”
How would you sum up your 2 years at Campus PSG? What has it brought you?
I believe that the vast majority of top-level clubs today have historic or recent top-level centers. We’ve been here for 2 years, and I’m the first person to sleep here, unless it’s someone who’s come here illegally (smiles).
The people who designed this Campus really got it right. It’s very comfortable, but not luxurious. The players feel good, in the right conditions to work, but avoiding anything weird or luxurious. It’s a great infrastructure, and the teams are connected. Everything is an invitation to improve as a player and as a team.
Luis Enrique “It’s important that someone who arrives at PSG knows that, if they have the level, it’s possible to play in the first team.”
Any satisfaction with the Titis’ recent debut? Could they play with you again in the future?
Without a doubt. More than judging a player over one or two games, there’s the possibility of training with us. They make the connection. I get more information from training sessions than I would from a match. I see the ability to compete against top players. I get a lot of information, more than they think.
It’s important for someone arriving at PSG to know that, if he’s got the level, it’s possible to play in the first team. It’s important to rely on training.
What’s the players’ state of mind ahead of the finals?
I have to say that the players’ state of mind couldn’t be better. We see it in training. We’re a team with a great mentality, but when you get closer to the finals, the state of mind couldn’t be better. Everyone wants to show they’re ready. These are great weeks for everyone. We want to make the most of this moment.
