Luis Enrique, coach of Paris Saint-Germain (1st), held a press conference this Saturday ahead of facing Strasbourg (7th) at the Stade de la Meinau tomorrow (kick-off at 8:45 pm, CET) for Matchday 20 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season. In addition to this event, the Spaniard also spoke to PSG TV.
Luis Enrique: “To make a fair comparison, all teams need the same schedule.”
Fatigue?
I honestly don’t know what day it is (smiles). There’s a match, I know, but I have to think to figure out what day it is.
The Champions League playoff draw?
To be honest, it requires a lot of thought. But above all, we’re used to these situations. The Champions League is a wonderful competition; we want to play in it and win it. But to make a fair comparison, all teams need the same schedule. The last two years, we’ve had the worst schedule. To analyze it properly, everyone needs the same schedule. But if we had to sign up before playing to get the points we have, I would have.
Luis Enrique: “Normally, in a sporting competition, there should be equal opportunities for everyone.”
We’re the European champions, but when you play against teams like that, the difference between winning and losing is small and razor-thin. It was very difficult. It’s a strange way of thinking. We’re starting the real Champions League now. It’s fair, both teams will be playing under the same conditions. And the standings mean it’s a bit unfair; we’ll inevitably be playing away in the second leg.
Normally, in a sporting competition, there should be equal opportunities for everyone. There are circumstances that create differences in level between teams, but that’s not happening. That’s my thinking. Teams should have the same schedule.
Luis Enrique: “It will certainly be difficult. The motivation is there.”
How to follow that up in the league?
We’re coming into the competition with an important moment. Lens won, so we need to improve our away performances, earn our keep, and take advantage of our opportunities. We’re thinking about what’s next; it will be difficult in every competition.
How to find the key against Strasbourg?
They’re a team with a very high-level track record; we remember our matches against them, including a draw at the Parc des Princes this season. They’re a young team with a lot of quality. There’s been a coaching change, and we’ve analyzed it, but we can’t see everything with so few matches. It will certainly be difficult. The motivation is there.
