On Saturday, as part of the 32nd day of Ligue 1 2024-2025, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) take on Strasbourg (7th) at the Stade de la Meinau (kick-off 5pm, CET). On the eve of the match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered a number of questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique “we’ve shown that we’re a team.”
How do you manage this match between the two semi-finals?
We’re going to do what we’ve done up to now, with the same idea in mind.
Can you comment on Donnarumma’s progress? Did you criticize his footwork and outings? Is he the keeper you want for your team?
(he taps the table and hesitates) What I think and believe is that we’re at a very important point in the season where we’ve shown that we’re a team. Even if you say that one player or another is playing better or worse.
You praise or criticize, but I’m happy with my team. The rumours are often negative. All the players are working, including the goalkeepers. It’s the best moment of the season and the team is showing its desire.
Luis Enrique “There’s a lot of noise around, but we’re always focused.”
Barcola, how to help him rebounce?
He’s the best example of what I’ve been saying (smiles). Barcola is involved in a lot of goal actions, he’s the best passer in France and one of the best dribblers in Europe. He’s very important and will continue to be so. A player at PSG has to get used to being a starter or a substitute. There’s a lot of noise around, but we’re always focused. A player must always be at 100%. We fight in many competitions.
You are one of many Parisians nominated for the UNFP Trophies, does that mean anything to you?
To be honest, I’m not at all interested in individual trophies. I want to be the best Luis Enrique I can be, but individual titles don’t interest me at all.
Luis Enrique “matches prepare us for other competitions.”
Strasbourg is a young team, how do you see it? Do you like them?
I like good players, whether they’re young or not and whatever the country. Strasbourg is having a very high-level season, with an attractive idea. They’re scoring and defending well. They’re one of the best teams in the league. It’s not going to be easy. It’s a bit of a strange end to the season, as we’re already champions. But the games prepare us for the other competitions.
How do you motivate your players just before the LDC semi-final?
I’ll repeat what I said. The most important thing is that every minute at PSG is useful for the big games. It’s always about showing that you’re important.
Luis Enrique “the motivation is to prepare for titles.”
Is the unbeaten away run the last motivation for the players?
I prefer to think of the match as preparation for the Champions League and the French Cup. If we can improve the record, so much the better. But the motivation is to prepare for the titles.
Nuno Mendes spoke of a “family” at PSG thanks to you. How did you manage it? Is that key to winning trophies?
Honestly, I think 90% of top teams are families. We spend a lot of time together. There’s so much to share, both the joys and the difficulties. They’re little families. There may be more affinities, and that’s all to the good. But we’re all the same.
Luis Enrique “There are very positive values in the group, I have no doubt.”
Are you preparing the team without Dembélé for Arsenal?
He won’t saturday, that’s for sure.
The team’s great maturity still surprises you today?
No, because I think that throughout the season I’ve always seen the same attitude. There have been results, but never any doubts about the state of mind. We don’t care what people say about us. I’m confident we’re on the right track. After that, you can win or lose. There are very positive values in the group, I have no doubts.
Turnover or not against Strasbourg?
Tomorrow, you will see.
Luis Enrique “We’re used to this little rest, it’s a chance.”
There’s been a lot of management in Ligue 1, but what will it be like for the next few games?
There’s the invisible training, which is essential for a professional player. I don’t worry about that, there are the things you have to do to stay at the top level. Even if we have a culture at the club of good recovery. We’re experts at this kind of schedule, and we want to get to the final. But there’s this comeback. We’re used to this little rest, it’s a chance. We need to get used to it.
There’s no magic formula. There are many variables: physical, technical, psychological. I’ve been a coach for many years, but I can make mistakes. That’s part of the job.
How did Kimpembe get injured? Is his season over?
I don’t have the information, it’s all in the medical point. I can’t say anything at the medical level.
Luis Enrique “the important thing is that the players improve individually and collectively.”
What do you think of Doué’s trajectory? Where does he stand compared to Barcola?
I’ll answer as I do for other players. As the season goes on, the important thing is that the players improve individually and collectively. It’s not that Barcola is worse than he was at the start, or that Doué is better. There’s an evolution with ups and downs. But the most important thing for me is that they show every time they play that they are prepared. They’re young. There are players who were, are and will be important.
