This Saturday at 5:15 PM (CET), Paris Saint-Germain (6th) face Strasbourg (11th) at the Stade de la Meinau in Matchday 7 of the 2026-2027 Ligue 1 season. In a press conference, Strasbourg coach Hugo Oliveira spoke about the match and their Parisian opponents.
Oliveira: “A demonstration of their capabilities and quality”
What is your take on PSG’s performance against City?
It was a fantastic performance from PSG—a demonstration of their capabilities and quality, both collectively and in terms of individual talent and the coach’s input. But for us, the most important thing is to focus on ourselves, our own process, our decision-making, and ensuring we remain competitive.
Where are you in that process?
The international break was long; it’s a new cycle, and there have been many changes. It’s like trying to build an airplane while flying it. But it’s an interesting challenge. The process is positive, though the long break did mean we lost a bit of our collective momentum.
That was the feeling during the match against Nice, where the result was hard to take. We did some good things, but other areas need improvement. The break and the resulting fatigue were factors, but we are here to work on our cohesion and our game plan.
Oliveira: “We need to focus on ourselves and our process.”
Does Strasbourg struggle to hold onto leads?
That’s a characteristic of a young team—finding it difficult to manage a match during challenging moments. We shouldn’t be conceding a goal like the one we did against Nice. We need to manage the game better, especially toward the end of the first half; we have to maintain control and recognize when it’s the right time to push forward and when it isn’t.
How do you beat PSG?
We have to focus on ourselves and our own process. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase our quality, our courage, and our philosophy. We need to do this while keeping our focus entirely on ourselves. If we start thinking too much about the opponent, things become very difficult. We must remain humble and work hard, showing courage in how we play.
Should you draw inspiration from PSG’s second-half performance against City?
Every match is different. PSG also knows how to manage a game; they have experienced players. Besides, we’ll be at home, with our supporters. With their help, we are stronger. They are there with us—they play alongside us—and that is very important.
Oliveira: “Only a top-level coach can do this.”
What is your take on Luis Enrique?
He is the best coach in the world right now—well, there’s also Pep Guardiola, but he’s currently taking a break. I love his ability to develop players individually while instilling an incredible collective capacity in the entire squad. It’s fantastic. There are several world-class players, but there’s also a fantastic collective spirit. Every player thinks of the team. They can make a difference individually, but their decisions are rooted in a collective foundation. Only a top-level coach can do that.
I love his energy and his commitment to the team and the club. It’s a world-class project. Beyond the results, there’s the dynamic of their play—it’s enjoyable, energetic, and flexible. There’s a collective framework that allows players to showcase their individual qualities. It’s one of the best teams in the world; it will be a fantastic challenge.
Oliveira: “For a player to reach their individual peak, they must first understand the collective context.”
Is the first goal against City symbolic of that?
It is, because the whole team was involved, and every decision was made for the sake of the team—while still utilizing individual talent, of course. I’m a firm believer in this: for a player to reach their individual peak, they must first understand the collective context.
Oliveira: “We’ll need that against PSG.”
How should you approach this match?
It’s a great opportunity to demonstrate our quality—for the players, too. But—and this is important—it’s a chance to show that the players are focused on the collective, rather than just individual brilliance. We need to display collective energy, show humility, and work incredibly hard. We’ll need that against PSG.
How do you prepare the goalkeeper?
Every match proves that Jörgensen possesses the experience, quality, and maturity required. He’s a top-class goalkeeper with experience—even though he’s only 24. He’s the oldest player on the team (laughs). It’s fantastic; it goes to show that this is a young, energetic team, but one that still has things to learn.
