On Wednesday, as part of the Champions League 2024-2025 play-offs (0-3 first leg), Paris Saint-Germain take on Brest at the Parc des Princes (kick-off 9pm, UTC+1). On the eve of the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered a number of questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique “We have to play without thinking about defending anything, to attack with great intensity.”
Are you preparing for the Round of 8, or are you focused on this comeback?
Very clearly focused on the match. We had a very good result in the first leg, that’s obvious. But when you analyze the match, there are complications. Brest have already beaten us twice in 2 years. They’re a very well-built team, who work well and have a great ability to play long balls.
They can make things difficult for us. We need to put the score from the first leg to one side, even if it does exist. Our aim is to win tomorrow.
You were at the remontada, so you know you have to be vigilant?
Of course, it’s a trick match. We have to play as we always do, to perform well. The atmosphere will still be spectacular. We have to play without thinking about defending anything, and attack with great intensity.
Luis Enrique: “This is recruitment for the long term”.
Have you ever been this relaxed before an LDC match?
I’m never relaxed before a match, least of all in the Champions League. A team will be eliminated at the end, so you can’t be relaxed.
Are you satisfied with Kvaratskhelia?
Yes, even if it does take some getting used to. It’s a change of club, a change of language, and the family also has to adapt. I’m happy with the work he’s done, because he’s a long-term recruit. We want to rely on him from the 1st minute.
What’s the situation with Zaïre-Emery?
He won’t be playing tomorrow. He’s not training with the group yet, so we’re not taking any risks. He’s making good progress, but he’s still a long way from playing.
Luis Enrique: “We mustn’t exaggerate.
You’ve said that your role is to be a little tougher when the players are in top form, are you tougher with them at the moment?
It’s a bit difficult to convey, but I try to balance it with the context. I treat them as usual. I’m ambitious and so are they. But I balance it with the context. At the start of the season, you said Barcola was in another galaxy, so you need to be calm. He’s been consistent. Now it’s Dembélé.
We want to keep things calm, even though there can be ups and downs. You can’t overdo it. Scoring goals doesn’t mean you’re that good, and not scoring doesn’t mean you’re bad. I’m trying to keep the excitement down.
Any more rotation planned?
I don’t know, we’ll see.
Luis Enrique “We need efficiency, where we can go out almost without deserving it. We have to be ready.”
You said the team would be better in February, and we’re seeing it. What are you planning for March?
I’m not a mind reader. I made comments last year and at the start of the season, and I stand by what I say. Even when we didn’t win, I said I saw some interesting things.
Now there’s a key moment, with the Coupe de France and the Champions League, which leaves no room for complacency. We need to be efficient, because we can go out almost undeservedly. You have to be ready.
Are you worried about injuries?
Obviously, injuries are part of soccer and we want to avoid them. There are contacts, as with Warren Zaïre-Emery and Ibrahim Mbaye. We want to support the players so that they can be competitive.
We have an infrastructure around the players for rest, food, preparation, training load, matches… It’s one of the hardest things to manage.
Luis Enrique “We need to correct the others too, that’s the next step.”
Are there things that the general public doesn’t see with Fabian Ruiz?
In the way we play, it’s not just about mobility, but also about playing according to team-mates. There are things that are repeated, but we’re not repetitive. There aren’t many players who can adapt to this game, and Fabian Ruiz is one of those who can be in different places and still perform well.
I’m very happy with my team, especially in midfield. But there’s still room for improvement. We also need to correct the others, and that’s the next step. Our players are doing that more and more every day, and I like what I see.
Luis Enrique “You can’t think in the Champions League that things are done.”
The 5 substitutions and going out in the 60th minute, a solution in the face of the calendar? Or the competition?
To manage each player’s load exactly, there’s an in-depth analysis. There’s the physical profile of the player, but also the 5 substitutions of course. It’s not the same to be out, or to be a substitute. There are a lot of elements that vary. You also have to look at the match, and whether or not you’ve got it under control.
We really like to have turnovers. People criticize us for the number of changes we make, but we do that to get the maximum number of players ready. When you get to a final and one of your players is absent, do you cry? No. You have to prepare the players, have a strong mentality and get everyone ready for every match.
Which Brest team should we be wary of?
Brest’s strength is its team, not its individuals, even if there are some very strong players. But Ajorque has a particular style, and if we don’t press him well, he can get close to our goal in the middle. That can quickly become a danger. They always know how to create real chances against us. It won’t be an easy game at all. We need to be prepared. In the Champions League, you can’t take things for granted. Our aim is to make sure that Brest don’t turn things around.
