On Friday, during Matchday 3 of the 2026-2027 Ligue 1 season, Paris Saint-Germain (11th) will face Monaco (1st) at the Parc des Princes (kick-off at 9:05 PM, CET). On the eve of the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered several questions during a press conference.
Luis Enrique: “We had an exceptional transfer window.”
What is your assessment of the transfer window regarding new signings?
It’s finally over (smiles). My assessment is that, without a doubt, we had an exceptional transfer window. The president and the sporting management did an incredible job. I am very happy with it.
First of all, I want to highlight all the departures. These players played a crucial role in winning trophies over the last two years. I wish them the best. I think it was necessary, as we needed to revitalize the team’s mindset and ambition. Barcola’s case is a bit different. He has grown tremendously in Paris since his move from Lyon. He has also helped the team grow significantly through his performances.
But he wanted more playing time—something I couldn’t guarantee. Everyone wins in this situation; I wish him the best. It was an exceptional transfer window. We are very happy to start the season with this squad.
Luis Enrique: “We are one of the best teams on and off the pitch.”
Is PSG stronger after this transfer window?
I can say that I am happy. Of course, there is an adjustment period for everyone. When we started the second season, there were doubts about the players we had signed. But the results speak for themselves, and we saw the level of quality. I am happy. We signed the players we wanted. It is very important to gauge the players’ attitudes when speaking with them—to see their desire and ambition to be at PSG.
Now, there are Financial Fair Play rules; you have to know how to sell, not just buy. Clearly, we are one of the best teams on and off the pitch.
Luis Enrique: “It is very difficult for us to keep winning.”
When do you think the team will be at 100%?
It depends on many factors beyond my control. My job is to find the best starting XI for each match, including the players who can come off the bench. I’m not thinking about exactly when we’ll hit our peak form. I’ve seen a lot of positives. It will be a huge source of motivation for every opponent to play against us, and it will be very difficult for us to keep winning.
Is a high-level start to the season a good thing or a complication?
It’s certainly not easy. It’s a fantastic mix. We’re adapting. We didn’t sell any players who started the Champions League final—it’s the same squad—and we’ve brought in both young players and experienced ones. It’s a good blend, but we have to wait and see how it plays out on the pitch. We need to remain humble. We’ll face challenges, just like every year.
Luis Enrique: “He wanted to leave to get more minutes and a more prominent role. I can’t simply hand that to any player.”
Does Barcola’s departure raise concerns about a lack of squad depth?
In the end, everyone wins. He wanted to leave to get more minutes and a more prominent role. I can’t simply hand that to any player; that has to be earned in training and during matches. He was very important. He is a player who is well-liked by his teammates; it’s tough. He’s an incredible person—I have nothing but good things to say about him. But he decided to leave, and we accept that. I wish him the best. That’s football; you have to accept it. Departures are normal—that’s life.
What is your take on Neves’s progress ahead of his 100th match? What does he need to improve?
He won’t play! I’m joking (laughs). He’ll start tomorrow; he’ll be playing his 100th match for PSG. It’s a real pleasure to have a player with his individual quality and his technical and physical abilities. But while he’s an incredible player, he’s an even better person. It’s wonderful to have a player like him.
Luis Enrique: “You always need a balance of energy.”
Can you say that you’ll do everything to win a third Champions League title?
The competition hasn’t started yet, but the goals are clear. I’ve said from day one that we want to win every trophy. The fans are convinced we can do it, but it won’t be easy. You always need a balance of energy. We need to stay calm; we haven’t played yet. We have to remain humble and focus on playing better—and on winning the first match tomorrow.
Barcola offered a different profile in your attack; does that mean the team is different now?
It’s clearly different. Bradley is a unique player—one who fit perfectly into our style of play. But I am very happy with the three attacking players who have arrived. We have plenty of options. All three of them can play in various positions.
That will be important for us over the course of the season. There will be a lot of matches. When I look at them—at what they bring to the team—I am very pleased. We shouldn’t make too many comparisons; you never know what might happen. But I am particularly happy with the transfer window.
Luis Enrique: “It will be a great challenge, against a coach I really like.”
Facing Roma in the Champions League—how does it feel to play against your former club?
I’ve started learning Italian again (smiles). It brings back fond memories, though unfortunately, the match won’t be at the Olimpico. Still, it’s a great memory for me. We’ll see; it will be very difficult. Roma has improved a lot under coach Gasperini and thanks to the transfer market.
Is the win important mainly for the standings, or to silence the critics?
If we don’t win tomorrow, are we out of the running? Is that what you think? Tomorrow, the challenge is to beat a team that won at the Parc des Princes last season. It will be a great challenge, against a coach I really like—because I admire those who are brave and who play football.
Is the pitch at the Parc des Princes in good shape? Was it an issue earlier in the season?
Clearly, we were eager to play at the Parc des Princes. It wasn’t possible before, which was a shame. The word is that the pitch is ready now; we just have to see if it holds up for the full match. We need a pitch in good condition.
Luis Enrique: “We need to improve our performance to make the top 8.”
Filipe Luis ranked you among the top 5 coaches in football history. What do you expect from him in Europe?
It’s his first experience with a European club, but he did great things in Brazil. We saw that when we played against Flamengo. When I heard he was coming to France, I was happy at first, but then I thought… maybe not (smiles). I’m glad to see coaches who love quality football. It’s good for French football; I wish him all the best—after tomorrow.
What is your take on the Champions League draw?
Apparently, it’s easier than last year’s. It couldn’t be tougher. But we’re used to draws like this. We’ll need to step up our performance to finish in the top eight. That’s the goal. But we know it won’t be easy. It’s going to be a tough challenge.
Luis Enrique: “A PSG player should win it.”
Mourinho said the Ballon d’Or winner doesn’t necessarily have to be at PSG or be Spanish. Could it be Fabián Ruiz, in your opinion?
I’m not interested in the Ballon d’Or. What I can say is that, for me, a PSG player should win it. We have everything covered, including the Champions League. Fabián Ruiz won the World Cup. Ousmane won the last Ballon d’Or.
But that’s just my opinion; I could be wrong. Ultimately, I’m not interested in individual awards. It’s a team sport; you have to stay focused on what matters for the collective.
Luis Enrique: “I like this innovation—finding new tools to surprise the opponent.”
Could football shift toward man-to-man marking, as Cesc Fàbregas suggested?
I need to see the interview; he’s a very good coach. What he’s doing at Como is very positive. Every coach has their own path. It’s important to keep adapting. I do things differently now compared to my time at Roma, Barça, or with the national team. We have a lot of information to analyze and see what opponents are doing. You have to be unpredictable for the opponent but predictable for your own team.
That’s the key for us. We want to change things up. As Champions League winners, we have to keep evolving. It’s motivating as a coach—that desire to seek change and keep improving. But it’s true: traditional positional play has disappeared. You need mobility to surprise the opposition. I like this innovation—finding new tools to surprise the opponent.
