On Wednesday, in the second leg of the 2025-2026 Champions League playoff (2-3 in the first leg), Paris Saint-Germain will face AS Monaco 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 want to continue our progress and our journey in the Champions League.”
Are you confident ahead of the second leg?
What I can say is that the fans are paying attention. Confident, of course, but paying attention. It’s a special, difficult match. One team starts out already eliminated, and another will be eliminated at the end. You have to know how to manage the different moments in the match. It will be difficult against Monaco. We want to continue our progress and our journey in the Champions League.
What do you like most about Kvaratskhelia?
We know him very well; he’s a very good player. He’s a different kind of player, with the ability to score, to dribble, to defend… It’s difficult to be a PSG striker; he’s different, and we’re very happy to have him.
Luis Enrique: “It’s not easy to play against PSG.”
Do you want your team to defend better?
We have one of the best defenses. There are matches where the opponent has scored with low expected goals. The team still has room to improve defensively, but I’m happy with what I’ve seen, the way we press, the way we defend together. It’s not easy to play against PSG. We have possession and our own way of defending.
Hakimi on trial for rape? Does that change anything? Is he still vice-captain?
It’s in the hands of the justice system.
Luis Enrique: “It’s not just him who’s being criticized, it’s everyone.”
Barcola is starting more this season? But he’s getting a lot of criticism for his finishing?
I’d like to add that it’s not just him who’s being criticized, it’s everyone. It’s normal; when you play here, you have to get used to it. The strikers are very good players, with a lot of personality. They get criticized because that’s how it works for big clubs. Bradley showed his character. He can still improve technically. I’m very happy with all the forwards in the team.
Is the weekend in Lens the highlight of the whole season? Would it be a failure to be eliminated?
We’re in a different competition. One team will be eliminated. It’s a challenge. Monaco starts with a one-goal deficit. After that, you have to be prepared for challenges. We know our fans are prepared for challenges. You have to know how to manage difficult moments. The best way to play is as usual, by having the ball and pressing. There’s no result to defend, there’s a match to win.
Luis Enrique: “We are ready to fight in every match, against every opponent, and in every situation.”
Is PSG’s mentality ideal for moving forward?
What we’ve shown throughout the season is the ability to manage difficulties, like with injured players. The team continues to play at its best. We have the toughest draw in the Champions League, and the team has shown the ability to handle it. We have resilience. It’s important to know that we are ready to fight in every match, against every opponent, and in every situation.
Are there any return dates for Dembélé and Ruiz? Maybe tomorrow?
No! If a player doesn’t train the day before the match, it’s not possible for him to be there. I don’t know how long it will be. We don’t want to take any risks. It’s nothing serious, but we have to be patient.
Luis Enrique: “To be compared to these teams, you have to win a lot of trophies.”
A change in the hierarchy for penalty takers?
There might not be one player who scores 10 consecutive penalties, but we have many players who can take them. There’s Vitinha, Dembélé, Neves, Nuno, Hakimi, Lee… It’s a bit like our ability to find goalscorers. No one can score 30 goals, perhaps, but many can score 12-15 goals. That’s very positive.
Is PSG, under Luis Enrique, aiming to be among the greatest teams in history?
It’s nice to hear that, but we’re aware that we’re at the beginning of the journey. To be compared to those teams, we need to win many trophies.
Luis Enrique: “The goal is to win and to deserve it.”
What are the lessons learned from the first leg?
Normally, when you lose 2-0 away from home despite having chances, it ends catastrophically. But we’ve shown once again that we know how to overcome difficulties. Although I’d rather not be in that situation again. We’re always looking to improve. The best thing for tomorrow is to approach the match as if it were the first. The objective is to win and deserve it.
What have you changed recently, mentally or technically, to improve your efficiency?
Nothing has changed. The ball is the key, always. We’re looking for players who can play with the ball, even if they’re small. Then, you have to know how to press when you lose possession, be physically strong. When we have possession and create chances, but we don’t score, you have to know that’s football.
Even if we want to improve. I’m very happy to see my team create a lot of chances. And we have to accept the result. What we’re trying to do is be superior to the opponent. I’m very happy.
