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, Parisian defender Willian Pacho (24) answered several questions during a press conference.
Pacho: “We need him, and we’re very happy to see him playing like this.”
How are you feeling after a difficult start?
I’m happy; I think I’ve regained my best form, which allows me to help the team as much as possible.
A pleasant surprise for us has been Lucas Hernandez. Did you see this coming? How was he in training?
It’s true that he’s had more opportunities to play this year, and he’s really made the most of them. He played a fantastic match against Barça. We need him, and we’re very happy to see him performing like this. We hope he keeps it up—he’s a great help to us, which is very important.
Pacho: “He does things that others wouldn’t do.”
Does it make a difference whether you’re playing alongside Zabarnyi or Marquinhos?
Marquinhos is an incredible player who always performs at a very high level. He helped me a lot from my very first day. But I’m also pleased to see that Zabarnyi and the others have stepped up while Marquinhos has been away. That’s the beauty of this team—it helps us stay at the top, and it means we always have to be ready.
What makes Luis Enrique so special?
He’s a very special coach; he does things that others wouldn’t do. His way of working is exceptional. I’m very happy, and I hope to make the most of this experience.
Pacho: “He’s a wonderful person, someone who works incredibly hard and is always at the service of the team.”
How do you handle things when you’re less accustomed to a particular teammate? Do you work with Zabarnyi in training?
Zaba—as I mentioned—has adapted perfectly to the team and our style of play. He’s always ready whenever we need him. That’s the great thing about this squad: there’s always someone ready to step up. He’s a wonderful person, works extremely hard, and is dedicated to the team. He’s also very well-liked, which is important for keeping this “family” united.
20th in the Ballon d’Or rankings and the second-best defender?
Of course, I’m happy about that. But my focus remains on the team. Trophies don’t come in isolation. I’m very pleased with that ranking; it motivates me to keep working hard, helping the team, and achieving good results.
Pacho: “The precision of his words at any given moment is very important.”
What role has Luis Enrique played in your integration at PSG and your personal development?
Beyond being a coach, he’s a human being. He understands players very well—he played at a high level himself, so he knows exactly what a player needs. The precision of his words at any given moment is crucial. He didn’t say much, but what he did say was highly detailed and very precise.
Pacho: “We need to put in a big performance.”
Pape Gueye suggested that PSG could be one of the best teams in the world; what kind of match are you expecting?
They are a top-tier side. I’ve watched some of their games, and at times they deserved better—for instance, against Dortmund or Liverpool. They’re a team that likes to have the ball, and they know how to keep it. We’ll need to try and dictate our own tempo, though it certainly won’t be easy.
PSG is the team to beat; is Luis Enrique emphasizing the need to take advantage of Villarreal’s flaws?
As with every match, we want to win and remain in control of our own destiny. We know full well that every Champions League game is different—there can always be surprises. We need to put in a strong performance; one must never be overconfident.
