Paris Saint-Germain won 1-0 against Girona (video summary PSG/Girona) this Wednesday at the Parc des Princes as part of Day 1 of the Champions League 2024-2025 league phase. After the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique spoke at a press conference. The Spaniard spoke of his players’ performance, the lack of realism and Marco Asensio’s injury.
Enrique “in a competition that means a lot, you have to do better.”
What did you think of your team’s match?
“I think the match was heavy at the start. It was hard for us because we were inaccurate, we missed easy passes. And when you’re a club like ours in a competition that means a lot, you have to do better.”
Enrique “I didn’t like the lack of precision”
Girona defended very well, they showed why they were leaders of La Liga last year for several weeks, they showed us why they play in the Champions League.They showed that they have a top coach and a top team, and that they play much better than teams in hat 3 and hat 2.
As for the match, I didn’t like the lack of precision. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the second half, where the technical and physical pace was far superior to Girona’s, and we had some clear chances.We could have scored, but we didn’t.
And just when we thought we were heading for a draw, Nuno Mendes scored that rather lucky goal. But I think we deserved to win.
Enrique “We only scored once tonight and that’s soccer”.
How do you explain the attacking difficulties in this match and the lack of realism?
Against Montpellier we scored six goals, from 20 shots, against a team that defended very well. We only scored once tonight and that’s soccer.It’s a wonderful sport. It would be unfair to create problems that I don’t see.
In your opinion, it’s true that Girona played at a very high level in the first half.We were at a very high level too, and there were two or three moments when they caused us real problems. But if you look at the chances they created, we’re ahead. We weren’t precise today.
Enrique “I know we want to be the best team in this League.”
Can you give us an update on Marco Asensio’s thigh injury?
“He’s injured, he felt a pinch. It’s muscular, but we don’t think it’s serious. Still, it’s sad for us and for him, who had been playing at a very good level for several games.”
Still, the three points bode well for the rest of the game and the race for qualification?“Starting with a win is important, whatever the competition or category. But it’s difficult for me to assess whether we’ll finish in the top 8, as we have the worst schedule.
On the other hand, we have the same enthusiasm and desire as everyone else. And I know we want to be the best team in this League.”
Enrique: “All I could see was how difficult it was to be dangerous”.
What were your words to Girona coach Michel?
I told him we’d suffered a lot against his team. We needed the points, but all I could see was how difficult it was to be dangerous tonight.
We succeeded in the second half, but we missed a lot. But despite that, we managed to take the lead. I congratulated him all the same, not just for his performance, but for what he now represents for this club and this team.”
What did you think of Barcola’s performance, perhaps under pressure tonight?
I’m very pleased with all my players.Bradley is still the same great player. Two weeks ago, he was your idol and today he’s the same young player, with a lot of attacking and defensive qualities.
I’m very happy and I’m not interested in comparisons, I’m not interested in the past. I’m interested in the present. I like the attitude of my players, who fight right to the end.
