On Wednesday, in the semi-finals of the 2025 Club World Cup, Paris Saint-Germain will take on Real Madrid at MetLife Stadium in New York (kick-off 9pm CET, broadcast on DAZN). On the eve of the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered a number of questions at a press conference.
Enrique: “It’s difficult to play in these conditions”.
You’ll be playing this match at a special time, with lots of heat and humidity, how have you prepared for this?
“We’re used to playing in these conditions. That’s been our constant during this competition. It’ll be business as usual. It won’t be great for the spectacle, because it’s difficult to play in these conditions, but it will be the same for both teams.”
Is a match like this one that everyone is looking forward to, one that excites you, or for you is it a match like any other?
“Playing Real Madrid it will be particularly, without a doubt. We love playing this type of match. We’re in a position to play a semi-final, it’s a very important match, which motivates us a lot. We’re ready for this match.”
Enrique “the most important thing is to play a World Cup semi-final.”
You’ll be up against Kylian Mbappé, how does that make you feel?
“There are a lot of situations that make it a special match. Around the match, there are a lot of different situations. But the most important thing is to be playing in a World Cup semi-final. It’s very interesting and we have to be ready to stay focused on the match and the semi-final.”
Do you regret the way it ended between PSG and Mbappé?
“What I can say is that it belongs to the past. It’s behind us.”
How would you define your contribution to the club’s results?
“First of all the secret is the team and the players’ ability to manage their performance according to the team. Not the team according to the players. This union we can also see with the fans and in the results.”
Enrique: “It’s always difficult to coach a club like this”.
You’re about to take on Xabi Alonso’s new Real Madrid, what are its characteristics, strengths and weaknesses?
“First of all I think it’s difficult to analyze this Real Madrid because they’re just starting their work at the club. We know they’re very strong individually, but this is Xabi Alonso’s debut as coach of this team. It’s always difficult to coach a club like this, but Xabi Alonso is up to the task.”
Pacho will be suspended, what changes does that imply? And what do you have to say about his two-game suspension?
“Nothing, I can’t say anything, it’s not something I can control. And you’ll see tomorrow how I’m going to make up for the absence of Pacho and Lucas Hernandez.”
With all that has happened around Kylian Mbappé are you concerned about his motivational sister tomorrow?
“Those questions belong to the past and I don’t talk about the past.”
Enrique “You have to adapt your mentality to each match.”
In order to win the two remaining ones, could you put your playing philosophy to one side?
“This philosophy is what enabled us to win the Champions League. Should I forget that philosophy? Never. You have to adapt your mentality to each match. It’s important to play good soccer. I think we have a lot of chances of winning if we play at our level, for me that’s the key.”
Enrique “In no case is there any bad intention on his part”
How has Gianluigi Donnarumma been affected by all the talk after Musiala’s injury?
“We all know Donnarumma and what a great man he is. Soccer is a sport where there are always injuries. That’s the life of a professional player. In no case is there any ill intent on his part, we can see that clearly. I’m not going to comment on what other players have said – it’s not work.”
Enrique “There are still people at the club I know very well.”
Does facing Real Madrid motivate you more, compared to your footballing past?
“Probably a great motivation yes. I’m only joking. Today there are new players and new journalists. I’m motivated as a coach, for what Real Madrid represents overall. There are still people at the club I know very well. And some of them I’ve played with. I’m a Barcelona fan, so I’m always motivated to play against Real Madrid.”
