On Saturday, as part of the 19th day of Ligue 1 2024-2025, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) take on Reims (13th) at the Parc des Princes (kick-off 9.05pm, broadcast on DAZN). On the eve of the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered a number of questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique “We need to prepare seriously.”
So Wednesday’s game, do you want to avoid the players getting carried away or pushing on with the Champions League?
It’s always different in the game afterwards. We have to think about this match against a team that has always been able to cause us problems. The coach has too, since last year. It’s the return of Ligue 1. I can’t remember an easy match in Ligue 1.
Everyone says it’s easy to win, but it’s always very difficult. We’ve had nothing but tough games in 2025 in all competitions. That will be the case again tomorrow, with little space and aggressive opponents. We need to prepare seriously.
Luis Enrique “He’s in a dynamic with us.”
When is the right time for Kvaratskhelia to play? What role would you like him to play?
As always when you recruit a player, it’s because you think he’s going to help the team. When he’s going to play, we’ll see. It depends on training. It’s difficult to recruit given our level, but if he’s here it’s to help us. He’s in a dynamic with us, he sees what we’re asking and I’m very satisfied.
How is Kvaratskhelia’s integration going and how is he physically?
He’s doing very well physically and he’s adapted very well. He’s a PSG player. He’s ready to go.
Luis Enrique “There will be victories and defeats.”
How do you keep the same level as the second half against City?
The same way we always do. You have to be ready to play all 3 players at a high level. You have to be physically and mentally ready. We’ll be up against a highly-motivated team, who will make life difficult for us. It’s a different game to Wednesday, but we still need to maintain a very high standard and take 3 points.
What impressed you most about your players? How do you feel about them?
As I said against Atlético, Arsenal or PSV, we’re on the way. There will be victories and defeats. It’s good for our young players to see that they can play at the very highest level. It also boosts the confidence of the fans. It’s very good for confidence.
Luis Enrique “We have very different games every 3 days and we always have to be competitive.”
What role do you play in integrating new recruits?
We have a young team, one of the youngest. I don’t think that’s a problem. But in terms of experience, they took last year as well. We were already at a very good level and those who have arrived will take on the experience. We have very different matches every 3 days, and you always have to be competitive.
How do you feel about the praise?
The people around me don’t criticize me. They suffer with me when we lose and are happy when I win. I accept criticism, which is normal, especially in a big team.
Luis Enrique “It’s the feeling you want, that it’s not easy to be a player at PSG”
Are you impressed by João Neves?
I think the sporting directorate and the club worked hard to recruit him. Since last season, our aim has been to have a squad for the future, but one that can play now and aim for the titles. That’s the feeling we want, but it’s not easy to be a player at PSG. So you have to be ready and never give up.
Will Kvaratskhelia and Barcola be competitors or together on the pitch?
I’ve got 6-7 players up front with whom I can do any combination. There are plenty of combinations.
Luis Enrique “All qualities are welcome”.
The president said you’re the best coach in the world?
The best thing about this match is the joy of the fans and the family. It’s the best feeling. It’s incredible. That’s why we want to be in soccer. I’m as guilty as I am of winning. After that, everyone has their own opinion.
Kvaratskhelia shoots a lot from distance, do you see that as a quality or something to be corrected?
To score from afar, you need to have a certain shot. Like Kvaratskhelia, Asensio or Vitinha. All qualities are welcome. You just have to adapt them to the team. We wanted Kvaratskhelia last summer after studying his profile. We’ve got an idea and we’re going to base it on our resources.
We want to see the player’s qualities and improve them, rather than ask him to do something I’d necessarily want. He’ll have to be in a position to shoot and make connections with the players. It’s positive what he’ll bring.
Luis Enrique “The match will be tough.”
4 draws against Reims in the last 5 games? How do you feel about this match?
They’re a team who defend close to their goal, who know how to defend very well and block space. They have the ability to play in transition and cross. They’re not at their best, but they’re dangerous.
After the match we’ve been through, with all the emotion, it’s a great goal for us. The idea will be not to relax, to play 100% to win. It’s going to be a tough game. We’ll still have the Parc des Princes, and we need to keep building our confidence.
Luis Enrique “Communication is important.”
How do you assess the players?
I do it in my own way, in what I feel, in what I feel is necessary. Sometimes it’s individual, sometimes collective. Today we did an individual session, for example. We see what the team needs. Communication is important, we have to pass on our messages, the corrections, what they give me too.
How many times did you review the match? Were Lee and Ruiz a little below par? What can you improve?
I’ve only seen it once and I took several hours to analyze it. It’s very complete. After that, some matches are better, others not so good. That’s just the way it is. Some players are a little lower, others higher. That’s just the way it is. I like what I see in training and in competition. The job is to continue along this line. You have to give it your all.
Luis Enrique “We can be less good, but not slack.”
What are the benefits and risks of such a victory?
We prefer to be happy. I’ve had the feeling since I arrived that there’s no such thing as slacking off in a match. The opposing team may be better, but I haven’t seen any slacking off. I don’t think that’s going to happen. And if it happens repeatedly, I won’t be here.
We want our players to move forward with our DNA throughout the club. Maybe we won’t win tomorrow – we can’t control everything. I don’t think we’ll be slacking off. We may not be as good, but we won’t be slack.
