On Tuesday, aspart of Matchday 3 of the 2024-2025 Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain (19th) take on PSV Eindhoven (24th) at the Parc des Princes (kick-off 9pm). On the eve of the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered a number of questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique “I’m satisfied with what I’ve seen from my team this season.”
PSG weren’t dominant in the LDC, how do you raise the level?
I think the team played very well against Girona and not as well as we wanted against Arsenal. But I’m satisfied with what I’ve seen from my team this season.
Is Kolo Muani ready for tomorrow? How do you plan to use him?
I have a number of players available and all of them can start.
Luis Enrique: “It doesn’t matter who scores or who passes the ball.
Barcola has scored 7 goals this season, did you insist on this with him?
Like all staffs, we work on offensive and defensive concepts. What counts is not who is decisive. It’s the collective mentality in all phases of the game. It doesn’t matter who scores or who passes the ball. The figures show that we’re working well.
Before playing Atlético and Bayern, is this the most important match for picking up points tomorrow?
All games are important, and the next one is always the most important. We have to take points, for all the teams. We’re going to play with a lot of motivation and optimism to get those 3 points.
Luis Enrique “We recruit the best possible players, young ones, because they’re cheaper too. “
You’ve received praise from opponents, do you agree?
Does it matter whether I agree or not? It’s nice to get praise from opponents. But the main thing is to think about the competition and improving all season long.
Do the players need to progress quickly or do you need time?
The team was young last year, and it’s still young, but it’s experienced. They have international matches, in the Champions League.
When you’re planning a season, there are players you can’t buy because there’s a price tag and you don’t want to overpay. We recruit the best possible players, the young ones, because they’re cheaper too. The idea is to have a very complete squad in order to win titles.
Luis Enrique “he reinforced the ideas we had about him.”
What do you like about Lee?
He arrived from Mallorca last year, and he reinforced the ideas we had about him. He’s a top-quality international player. He can score, pass and play in different positions. Like him, there are other young players who can play for PSG.
Luis Enrique “I think it will be a match similar to the one against Strasbourg.”
Is it harder to prepare for games in this LDC format? Where do you see PSV in relation to Girona and Juventus?
It’s not easy. You can guess on the general level, but there’s also the fact of playing at home or away. It’s a very high-level opponent. They dominate the league with incredible numbers. They have the potential to play, but it’s going to be tough.
What kind of match can you expect?
I think it’ll be a game similar to the one against Strasbourg. They play high up the pitch, they press very well, and they scored from pressing in the Champions League. They play very well with De Jong and the wingers, and the team knows how to use the ball and defend. The score could make them more or less aggressive.
Luis Enrique: “He’s more mature”.
What aspects do you expect to improve in the LDC?
There’s always room for improvement in soccer, even when you’re winning. But where you saw doubts, I see growth, things improving, potential, what we’re passing on. Of course, the Champions League is very difficult. We’re playing at the Parc, and we want a good result.
What do you think of Hakimi? Has he changed since last year?
Honestly, I think he’s very close. He’s been a bit better offensively, more effective. He’s a top-level player, he’s still young but he’s got a lot of experience. He’s an example, he’s more mature.
Luis Enrique “We’ll have to show our best offensive and defensive version tomorrow.”
What do you think of the Dutch playing philosophy?
It was an honor for me to work with Louis Van Gaal. There are some great teams. PSV know what to do with the ball, they’re a dangerous team who know how to play with their 9. They press high, and I like the Dutch style. They’re a unique team, very strong.
You’ve conceded a lot of goals this season, how can you avoid that tomorrow?
I don’t think we’ve conceded too many goals. Our ratio is positive with goals scored. We can still improve, that’s always the case. We’ll have to show our best offensive and defensive form tomorrow.
Luis Enrique “Perhaps we need more tranquillity, more calm, for the team to be at 100%.”
How do you prepare for the match, when PSV are not in the top 5 of the league?
I think the Champions League has a lot of very high-level teams. Last season, they were the best team in the Netherlands, and this year is incredible in terms of numbers.
Everyone wants to play these matches, and it’s very easy to prepare for them with great enthusiasm. Maybe we need a bit more peace and quiet, so that the team can be at 100%.
