Paris Saint-Germain drew 1-1 against Newcastle this Wednesday at the Parc des Princes in Matchday 8 of the 2025-2026 Champions League. After this victory, PSG coach Luis Enrique spoke at a press conference.
Enrique: “I have nothing to reproach my players for.”
How do you analyze this result?
“It was a very good first half. We started positively. We missed a penalty, but we created chances. The equalizer just before halftime hurt. Physically, Newcastle is strong. We knew that before the match.
We deserved to win, not by a huge margin, but by a little more. We face very different teams in Ligue 1. I have nothing to reproach my players for, even if some didn’t perform at their usual level. I don’t see anyone as a bigger favorite than us in the competition.”
You’re not as strong as last season during your weaker periods. How do you explain that?
“It’s the schedule, the group we’ve had. We’re ready for the playoffs, that’s clear. We need to improve, OK. But we’re losing another important player.”
Enrique: “We deserved to win against Newcastle.”
How do you explain the recent Champions League results?
“We can be better, get better results. But we’re here, we’re ready. We’ll see who we play against, Monaco or Qarabag. I’m very demanding of my team. We have to analyze who we’re going to face. We had 13 points before the last match. We deserved to win against Newcastle. The defeat in Lisbon, however, was undeserved.”
Has Safonov become the number one goalkeeper?
“I can’t say anything. When you see my decisions, it will be very clear to everyone. I don’t know if there will be a rotation for the goalkeepers.” I’m an open coach who asks his players to be ready at all times. I don’t know what I’m going to do next.
What is Khvicha Kvaratshkelia suffering from?
It’s his ankle. It’s complicated. I hope I’m wrong and that I’ll have good news tomorrow (Thursday).
