On Friday, as part of Matchday 21 of Ligue 1 2024-2025, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) take on AS Monaco (3rd) at the Parc des Princes (kick-off 9.05pm, UTC+1). On the eve of the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered a number of questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique “I’m not worried”.
You had put Donnarumma and Safonov in competition, less so recently. Is Donnarumma number 1?
I think my objective as a coach is very clear. It’s to generate competition between all my players. They have to have the hope of being able to play. That’s the general objective. After that, there may be fewer situations in which to play, depending on various factors. But everyone has to be able to play.
When will Kvaratskhelia be fully ready?
When a player arrives without having played several games for his former club, it takes a little time. How long, I don’t know. It may be short. But I’m not worried. In any case, we recruited him for the long term. The team’s in good shape.
Luis Enrique “Ousmane can be a team leader.”
Can you tell us about the man Ousmane Dembélé is?
I think Ousmane, since his arrival, even though I’ve known him since Barcelona with references, is a very well-liked boy. He’s a very good person. What’s more, he’s in exceptional form. We set no limits and he has to be important to the team.
And not just to score; you need a decisive pass to do that. We want him to be important all the time, to create chances, make decisive passes and defend. Scoring is not the same as being a leader. Ousmane can be a team leader.
How do you manage a hectic schedule? Expected turnover?
The truth is, it’s a game of Tetris. We can plan things, we imagine, but then we have sick players, injuries, suspensions. We’re always open. We want to manage each player’s playing time, but it’s going to be difficult. I’m not complaining, it’s an opportunity to fulfil our objectives in all competitions.
Luis Enrique: “The most important thing is to win titles. That’s what makes a great club.”
Are you aiming to go unbeaten in France this season?
I’ve never talked about that this season. It’s not the most important thing. That’s fine, but the most important thing is to win titles. That’s what makes a great club. If there are records, that’s wonderful, but it’s not the objective.
Do you think the post-Mbappé period has been a success? Is the attack performing better?
I think I was brave when I said we’d have a better team, and I think that’s the case. The figures say so. But it’s also difficult to say to a player like Kylian Mbappé. But the team and the players took it as a challenge.
We would have liked to keep him, but the team is responding very positively, at a spectacular level. Rather than one player scoring 40, I had said I wanted several players to score more than 10. It’s happening. We’ve got a team that’s improving, that’s mature.
Luis Enrique “You can look at the numbers, especially the high-intensity races when the distance doesn’t say much.”
Do you look at the number of kilometers covered? Is that a key to a trophy?
To be honest, I don’t need the numbers. I perceive that, depending on the opportunities for both teams, the game. You can look at the numbers, especially the high-intensity runs, whereas distance doesn’t say much.
But I see the game, the rhythm at which our players make the runs. There are technical qualities, of course, but also physical statistics, because you need a certain profile to play at the top level.
What is the best way to prepare? Rest? Video? Methods from other sports?
It’s very simple. Competition keeps you in shape. It’s the greatest stimulus, even if there’s the risk of knocks. There’s no particular physical load in training; we rely on video to correct the situation. Management is designed to avoid excessive loads.
Luis Enrique “All this can influence teams to perform well in all competitions.”
Do you see a difference between League 1 matches and cup ties?
Obviously, every situation is different. In Ligue 1 we’ve got the margin, in the Coupe de France there isn’t any. We’ll see who we’re up against today. In the Champions League, it will be for 2 matches. All this can influence the teams to perform well in all competitions.
Adi Hütter has said that your team is better than in December. Has there been any specific work on balance?
No, it’s the result of the work we’ve been doing since the start of the season, and everyone’s state of fitness. But it’s true that we’re back in shape and feeling fresh. It’s about time we did. We’d had some disappointing results in the Champions League, with a lack of effectiveness.
Now we want to make the good times last. But there are still many months to go, and we may lose some of our lucidity. It’s all about managing the season. But I think the team is ready to deal with those moments.
Luis Enrique “there are illnesses. We’ll see tomorrow.”
Why was Hakimi absent?
He’s not injured, but it’s cold and there are illnesses. We’ll see tomorrow how he wakes up. The same goes for Mayulu. They’re not out, so we’ll see.
Do you want Brest to play in the Coupe de France so that you have less work to do in preparation?
No! As with Monaco, it’s more work every match. We can see what’s changed and what still needs to be changed. I’d rather not have Brest in the draw.
Luis Enrique “Normally, we have to suffer more against this team.”
What are Monaco’s qualities?
It’ll be a match similar to the ones we played against them recently. It’s an opponent who has made a lot of progress without the ball, who has advanced in defensive energy. This team never lets the ball go easily. They occupy the pitch well. Their flankers play a lot inside, and they caused us a lot of problems.
They’re a direct championship rival. The other 2 games went well. Normally, we have to suffer more against this team. We have to be ready.
