On Wednesday, as part of Matchday 8 of the Champions League 2024-2025 league phase, Paris Saint-Germain (22nd) take on Stuttgart (24th) at the Mercedes-Benz Arena (kick-off 9pm CET, UTC+1). On the eve of this encounter, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered a number of questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique “There was continuity, even if there was a lack of efficiency.”
Are you safe from a setback tomorrow given the strength of your team at the moment ?
I’m as calm as usual for a Champions League match, which is to say not at all. But we’re prepared for this new format with its surprises, and I’m ready for a match against an opponent who plays very good soccer.
Did the match against City bring anything new ? Does it bring continuity or is there always a 0 ?
You have a very different feeling from me. You look at the results, not me. I’d say that in every Champions League home game we deserved to win. There was continuity, even if we lacked efficiency.
But in soccer, if you’re not efficient, it’s hard to win games. But we’re on the same path as the rest of the season. I’ve seen positives in every game, even if we haven’t got the points we should have.
Luis Enrique “We’re going to try to win this game and take points, improve our ranking.”
A draw would be enough for both teams, but are you expecting a win ?
Experience tells me that if someone depends on what’s happening off the pitch, then they’re not focused enough, determined enough, on what they have to do on the pitch. We’re not going to think about what’s going on elsewhere.
We’re going to try to win this match and take points, improve our ranking. That’s the objective. There are a lot of things possible on this day, but we’re not going to think about them.
Luis Enrique “It’s the objective to have several options.”
Are you satisfied with the way your players are responding to the competition ?
I think the team has moved on, we have more resources, more options. Competition is vital for the team. The players need to know that they have to give 100%. That’s the point of having several options. We’ve been able to move forward, thanks to the club’s management, who have helped build an ever-stronger team.
Luis Enrique “I like the pressure, it means we’re in the right place.”
There can be some decompression after the win over City, did you feel it was necessary to get the squad back into the competition , the pressure ?
It’s always the same. If you play for PSG, there’s pressure every day. Otherwise, it’s the coach’s problem. Nobody’s going to lose concentration tomorrow.
We haven’t done anything yet. We still have to win. Then we’ll see what happens. We’re going to approach tomorrow’s game in the same way. Girona was our first game. This will be our last. It’s the same: we want a better team every game. That’s the objective, it’s very simple. I like the pressure, it means we’re in the right place.
Luis Enrique “That’s what I pass on to my players.”
What kind of match are you expecting tomorrow ? What do you fear ?
After analyzing the team, I see a team with a lot of internationals, who attack and defend very well, putting pressure on. There’s a lot of mobility. It’s going to be a tough match. They were pot 4, but they’re a very high-level team. It’s going to be a very tough match on their home ground.
Are you convinced you’re going to win tomorrow ?
I’m always convinced that my team will win. That’s what I pass on to my players. But in a competition like this, you also have to know how to calm the players down. Especially in a young team like ours. You have to know how to handle pressure, and that’s important and beneficial.
Are all your players fit to play tomorrow ? Do you have a solution to replace Nuno Mendes’ suspension? There seem to be 3 players: Beraldo, Hernandez or Neves ?
Warren too… There are a lot of options!
What’s the key tomorrow ?
I can’t say before the match because the opposing coach will be listening to me. We can talk tomorrow (laughs).
Luis Enrique “For the 9, 10, or 11, we don’t see it that way.”
Désiré Doué seems to be playing more in the centre, is that the plan after the arrival of Kvaratskhelia ? Do you want him as a 10 ?
We don’t play with a 10, it’s not part of our system. We have a different way of occupying space. It’s not an option we’re looking for. We have 7 players for 3 places. I can’t wait to see them attack.
We have a lot of versatility and a lot of options. We need to play with great intensity, and offer positive things to the team. That’s what I’m asking the players to do, and I’m happy to do it. For the 9, 10 or 11, we don’t see it that way.
