On Tuesday, during the 4th matchday of the 2026-2027 Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) will face Villarreal (19th) at the Estadio de la Cerámica (kick-off at 9 p.m., CET). On the eve of this encounter, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered several questions during a press conference.
Luis Enrique: “We are always open to new things.”
You often experiment in Ligue 1; could you do the same in the Champions League, or is the level too high?
The competition doesn’t matter when it comes to seeing players in different situations. It’s important to gain a deeper understanding of our players. We are always open to new things—especially when working with players of this caliber.
Beyond the record number of wins, what makes you most proud of your time at PSG so far?
The most positive aspect is that we are even more ambitious and comfortable today than we were on day one. It shows that everyone shares the same intent. It’s a very positive experience to be at a club like this; I feel truly at ease.
Luis Enrique: “Past results count for nothing once the match begins.”
After the victories against City and Barcelona, is it necessary to temper the euphoria?
If we assume that these past results guarantee a win tomorrow, we’ll be setting ourselves up for failure. We must go into the match with the intention to run and fight for the full 90 minutes. Villarreal is a very strong side, even if they’ve faced a difficult schedule. We have to prove that we’re ready to win. Past results count for nothing once the match begins.
Given the current situation, might you take a more cautious approach to this match?
No, we haven’t planned this match any differently. There are important points at stake, and we want to perform at a high level every time we take the pitch, regardless of the opponent or the lineup. Tomorrow will be an interesting challenge—a different kind of stadium that captures the true essence of football, against a quality team. Dealing with their pressure will be difficult. It’s going to be a real test, and I enjoy that. We need to stay alert to everything.
Luis Enrique: “You have to focus on the important things.”
Are you aware that you have changed the club’s DNA and left your mark on its history?
It’s always positive when you sense things happening, but—to repeat myself—I’m used to being in either a very positive or a very negative situation; there’s rarely a middle ground at a big club. You’re considered “bad” when you lose, and a “genius” when you win. You have to focus on the important things—like having a really good training session with the players today. When you set records, it shows there’s a solid foundation at the club, thanks to the players. That’s what brings me joy.
How do you assess Zabarnyi’s progress? What is he still missing?
What I think we can see is that almost every player is improving. That’s a very positive thing for me. “Zaba” is a very young player, yet he already has experience. We have confidence in his physical and technical qualities. He’s capable of playing in combination, executing long passes, and defending without committing fouls. The first year at a club of this level can be difficult. Now that he’s in his second year, he’s improving. I hope he can become even more significant.
Luis Enrique: “It’s important to realize that playing away from home is always difficult.”
How can you avoid dropping points the way you did last year?
Last year, we started off much like we have this season, yet we didn’t finish in the top eight. This is the Champions League. Tomorrow, it’s crucial that we’re prepared for every possible scenario. We want to improve upon last year’s league performance. It’s important to keep in mind that playing away from home is always a challenge.
Luis Enrique: “Either we perform at our best, or we won’t win the match.” What can we expect from Villarreal—a team that’s inconsistent, yet faces a challenging schedule?
Yes, a very tough one, with Dortmund, Napoli, Liverpool, and us. Many might complain, but that’s not the case for Iñigo Pérez. I like this young coach; he has a clear vision for playing at a very high level. His team projects a lot of positive energy. Villarreal made a good choice in hiring him. There are challenges, but that’s the Champions League for you. We’ve told our players: this is a difficult opponent that wants to keep possession. Either we perform at our absolute best, or we won’t win the match.
Luis Enrique: “I’ve been terrible before, and now everyone thinks I’m ‘The Special One.'”
Villarreal was hit hard by their defeat against Espanyol—could things swing the other way tomorrow?
I think that when you bring in a young coach, you have a specific vision for how the team should play. There will be defeats along the way, but there will also be significant achievements. Villarreal has already turned a season around after a difficult start. I believe this is the beginning of a project that is already showing some very promising signs. I hope tomorrow isn’t their best day. Looking at their next four opponents, they seem more manageable—but in football, you never know. The best team will win. If they have any doubts, that could work in our favor. But things can change quickly, and we’ll need to put in a very strong performance, both in attack and defense.
Is there a shortcut for Villarreal?
We know that results are what matter most. But [Pascual] Pérez has already proven himself; he possesses great intelligence and serves as an example for any coach. Shortcuts don’t really help much. You have to stick to your principles—even if it means losing while playing your own style of football. Besides, losing is part of it; I’ve been terrible before, and now everyone thinks I’m “The Special One.” That’s life—there are twists and turns, ups and downs. He’s taking away the positives, and I’m convinced he’ll have a great career.
