This Sunday at 5:15 p.m. (CET), first-place Paris Saint-Germain faces fifth-place Lens at the Parc des Princes in Matchday 4 of Ligue 1 2025-2026. Lens coach Pierre Sage spoke about this match on Carré.
Sage: “We’ll have to play a perfect match.”
Any chance of playing PSG after the winter break and before the Champions League, or are you worried about the rotation with players who are hungry?
I was asked this question last year after a European match, and I said it: there’s never a good time to play PSG, because the quality is always there. It’s obvious that players who usually play less will want more, so they’ll want to show off. In any case, we’ll have to play a perfect match.
Before focusing on the opponent, we must first focus on the quality of what we produce.
What should we focus on to put them in danger: go for them high up, with the risk of getting caught…
Or I’m lucky enough to win the ball back (smiles).
Sage: “I think that’s still the right plan.”
Yes, or start low?
In any case, we know they have a lot of possession. And if they decide to, that possession can increase even further. What stands out, in my opinion, is that the key is the moments when we have the ball. If we give it away too much, it often comes back, and with their qualities, they’ll find the gap. To be successful, the idea is not to give it away too quickly and to exploit it well.
Thauvin even more essential?
That was my decision at the time in the Coupe de France final, by putting three players capable of holding the ball very high up. And in the end, it didn’t work out as well as we’d hoped. But I think it’s still the right plan.
Can you imagine putting them in danger? Are you fantasizing about that?
The Parc des Princes might be in turmoil, so we have to consider that the environment has no influence on what we do. Conversely, when we play at home, the environment must have a great influence on what we do. A team’s ability to break free or use these things can make the difference.
Sage: “Also and above all, playing as a team.”
What do you like about Luis Enrique’s PSG?
Everything. What they produce, the efficiency with which they do it, the consistent quality of play, but also and above all, playing as a team.
Ego management?
You see it at every level. Just because you have millions in your bankroll doesn’t mean you have a bigger ego. There’s often a hierarchy regarding salary, experience, and player status. These are patterns that are found almost everywhere. They say that some coaches aren’t cut out for that, but I don’t share that idea. Just because a player has won a lot doesn’t mean he can’t be a good listener.
Any inspiration from this PSG team?
Yes, of course, through the coach I already followed. And through the players, who are extraordinary.
Vitinha, the player who inspires dreams.
The PSG player you would dream of having at Lens?
Today, I would say Vitinha. But it’s not because of our needs, but his ability to transform a lousy ball into a great one, or to, through a position, create a situation that didn’t exist before. He’s a player I already followed at Porto and about whom I heard great things, including a coach who told me he’d already understood everything at the U14 level.
Is he like Verratti, but with a shot?
I’d say he’s more mobile. That’s what’s impressive about their midfield, their ability to switch positions, to manage pressing problems without a command from the coach; they’ll take up positions to cause problems.
Sage: “He’s already telling the goalkeeper he’s going to have a problem.”
Do you like Dembélé at number 9?
Yes, I like it a lot. What’s impressive, beyond the offensive aspect, is his defensive effort. He understood that by doing this with his teammates, they’d also have the ball and could score quickly.
Does the image of Dembélé pressing the goalkeeper apply?
Yes, you can see his determination. He’s already telling the goalkeeper he’s going to have a problem. There’s a power struggle.
Is he the favorite for the Ballon d’Or?
He should be the winner in my opinion.
