This Saturday, as part of Matchday 15 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season, Paris Saint-Germain faced Monaco at the Parc des Princes. Esteban Lepaul (25 years old), Rennes striker, spoke to Ligue 1+ after PSG’s 5-0 victory. He discussed the missed opportunities and the difference between his team and the European champions.
Lepaul: “Of course, it hurts, 5-0.”
Are we still smiling despite the heavy defeat?
Of course, it hurts, 5-0, regardless of how the match unfolded. Tonight we learned what the very highest level is like, against a team that is the European champion, and that’s where you see the difference, even if we played a good first half. We managed to create chances, but when our shot hits the post and you concede a goal on the counter-attack, that really shows the difference. PSG didn’t miss their opportunities, and congratulations on the victory.
What were the coach’s instructions tonight?
We knew they were a team that moved around a lot, with movement everywhere, especially with Neves and Vitinha. We tried to limit their activity, but it wasn’t easy, and the very high level of competition took its toll tonight.
Lepaul: “Even when we’re down 2-0, we have the ambition to come back.”
What did the coach say at halftime?
The message was that we have to maintain what we did well in the first half; we couldn’t throw everything away, and we even had to keep some of it. Even when we’re down 2-0, we have the ambition to come back. The third goal in a match is always very important, and he told us to maintain our intensity and focus. He wanted us to close down the spaces around the Paris players. That’s what was said.
Regarding your shot?
We knew there were things we could do there. I saw it go in and just heard the post. I had a few words for him (Safonov) at halftime. He made a very good save, and then we conceded a goal that really hurt us in the first half.
Lepaul: “When he had to do things, he did them well. Well done to him.”
A very good Safonov?
Yes, he’s not a starter, and it’s never easy for a player not to play. When he had to do things, he did them well. Well done to him.
