On Monday, in the Round of 32 of the 2025-2026 Coupe de France, Paris Saint-Germain (2nd in Ligue 1) will face Paris FC (15th in Ligue 1) at the Parc des Princes (kick-off at 9:10 pm, CET). On the eve of this match, PSG coach Luis Enrique answered several questions at a press conference.
Enrique “clearly demonstrates what a PSG player should do.”
How do you manage to keep Gonçalo Ramos motivated, always motivated despite his limited playing time?
“When you sign a contract with a big club like PSG, you don’t know how long you’re going to play. When you sign, you know your responsibility is to be ready to help the team.
That’s what Gonçalo Ramos and many other players on the team do. I’m sure he wants to play much more, he deserves it, but he clearly demonstrates what a PSG player should do. I’m very happy to have a player like him.”
You have several players in contract extension negotiations; could this hinder team cohesion?
“It’s just rumors, always circulating around PSG. We’re used to it. There’s a lot of fake news surrounding the club. It’s important to destabilize the club, the team. It’s normal.” It’s normal to have negotiations, but all of this remains private. We know what we want.
Enrique: “In the Coupe de France, every match is like a final.”
The PFC coach said it was an advantage to play PSG again so soon. Do you agree?
“I think it’s more positive to play every four days than every ten. At this level, we have an advantage. But the travel is the most tiring thing. We’re used to it; it’s not an excuse. We remain focused on this competition, which is different. In the Coupe de France, every match is like a final.”
Does PSG absolutely have to keep Ousmane Dembélé?
“That’s a question for the sporting director. You can ask Luis Campos.”
Could you accept a long-term contract with Paris Saint-Germain?
“If you look at past statements, it’s very clear. Nothing has changed.
Did Lucas Chevalier’s performance reassure you, and will he start tomorrow?
“Normally, I don’t change my opinion about a player after one, two, or three matches. I make a broader assessment of what a player does well and what doesn’t do so well.”
Enrique: “We’re always looking to improve individually and collectively.”
What do you think when people say it’s time to step up your game?
“We’re always looking to improve individually and collectively. Obviously, these are special times because you have to win matches to stay in the competition. It’s important to show our quality in every match.”
We’ve often seen PSG turn things around in the final minutes. What does that mean?
“You’re talking about this season, but it was also the case last season and the one before. I think you have to be lucky, but it also fits with the mentality of this team.” This doesn’t happen by chance. It’s positive. But we need to improve so we find ourselves in this situation less often.
How do you keep this group hungry for trophies after winning everything?
“To be honest, it’s impossible to improve on this performance. We can’t do better at this level. But in terms of motivation, we simply want to enjoy it, enjoy the journey, the training, every match, and every victory. I’m very happy to have these players, and we remain focused on what we have to do.”
