On Wednesday, in the first leg of their 2025-2026 Champions League round of 16 tie (second leg on March 17), Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1 leaders) will face Chelsea (Premier League sixth) at the Parc des Princes (kick-off at 9 pm, CET). On the eve of this match, PSG coach Luis Enrique answered several questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique: “We understand everything and we accept everything.”
Do you understand the pessimism surrounding PSG?
Whether I understand it or not isn’t important. The most important thing is to prepare for the match in the best possible conditions. We understand everything and we accept everything. It’s normal for PSG to have a lot of noise around us.
Is it harder to win the Champions League or to win it again?
That’s a good question! I think the first time is harder, but the second time isn’t easy either (laughs). But I think the first time… Now, everyone knows we can win the second time, even if it’s not easy.
What have you said to your players since Friday?
A lot of things! It depends on what we think is important. In recent days, we’ve talked about important topics for the team, both individually and collectively. These are key moments in the season. It’s nice to prepare for this type of match.
Luis Enrique: “We know how difficult a match like this is.”
Could Neves start tomorrow?
We’ll see tomorrow. I don’t want to give the opposition any clues. But we trained with almost the entire squad, except for Fabian Ruiz and Ndjantou. We’ll see who starts tomorrow.
Does Chelsea resemble the Premier League teams you’ve faced since last year?
If we’re talking about English teams, you can see they’re all at a very high level. We know Chelsea very well. We played against them last summer. They’ve changed, especially the manager, but also some of the players. We know how difficult a match like this is, a knockout match. We’re aiming to win and qualify.
Luis Enrique: “You have to adapt and focus on the important things during a match.”
Where do you prefer Barcola? He said he prefers the wing.
That doesn’t depend on me, but on the team. Most players prefer a particular position, but the important thing is that no matter where they play, they can help the team. That’s what matters. Then, you have to adapt and focus on what’s important during a match.
There’s a rumor going around that there’s less hunger. Is that upsetting?
I’m never concerned by the rumors surrounding the team. If there are good results, it’s over-optimism. When there’s a bad result, it’s pessimism. We’re used to dealing with that.
Luis Enrique: “You’re looking for the key, but it depends on many things.”
Will the key points be passing and composure?
What we can guarantee is our mentality and the way we play. After that, to judge a match clearly and honestly, there are many factors involved. You’re looking for the key, but it depends on many things. For us, what’s clear is that we’re going to try to play both matches in the best possible way.
Regardless of the result tomorrow, we’ll prepare in the same way. We always want to play the same way. Whether we’re precise or reckless depends on many things. It’s difficult to play this type of match. These will be two very high-level matches.
Luis Enrique: “These are very exciting matches to play, we want to enjoy them.”
Difficulties in midfield last summer, will the key be the battle in midfield?
It has several important aspects. But it’s clear we like to have more possession than our opponents and defend effectively. They have a very good squad. It will be difficult for both teams.
Barcola hasn’t scored in the Champions League for a year, and he seems to be losing his composure in front of goal. Is there a specific training program? How did you unlock Dembélé’s game?
What we’re trying to do is manage every difficult moment as a team, by sticking together. This isn’t the time to talk about individuals or look for negatives. We want to improve individually and collectively; that’s the most important thing.
Luis Enrique: “Excessive motivation is a problem.”
How can we be at 400% intensity tomorrow?
It’s very simple. It’s a match where there’s no need to talk about mentality or motivation; that will be there. We need to manage the excess. The team will be looking to win, as usual. And the Parc des Princes is a very special place. We’re happy to share this with our fans. These are great matches to play, and we want to enjoy them.
Will composure be key? Along with managing emotions?
That will be one of the keys, as I’ve seen over many years. In a match like this, over-motivation is a problem. We know what kind of match we want to play. Then there’s the very high-level opponent who will be there to challenge us. It’s a very high-level match, and we want to enjoy it. We’ll play it and then analyze it to prepare for the second match. It’s very interesting what we’ll be playing in the coming days.
Luis Enrique: “Last year, we won almost every trophy and we were heavily criticized.”
What do you think of coach Liam Rosenior?
That’s a question for the Chelsea management. I think Liam has experience at the highest level. The very attacking style of play in Strasbourg was interesting; they also had a good defense. It’s a very important match. It could be very different tomorrow, in another match. We’re going to play our way; we want to beat them by playing football. It will be difficult, but we’re looking forward to it.
Are they a dangerous Chelsea? Is this a test to show that you are the European champions?
We have no doubt. We know our level. We’re focused on the positives. There are ups and downs, but we don’t think about the noise around us; there’s always noise no matter what. Last year, we won almost every trophy and we were heavily criticized. We always prepare in the same way.
