The Parisian coach takes stock on the eve of the reception of Rennes, at the opening of the sixth day of Ligue 1.
PSG less flamboyant than at the start of the season : “I thought you said it was brighter, I misunderstood and I was surprised (laughs). That’s life ! Football is like that. (…) I feel things differently. There are better moments, worse moments in a season, it’s part of a logical process in a season. I feel that my team resolves the negative situations posed by the opponents positively, the players have this desire to improve. I have a completely different feeling from you.”
The choices against Rennes dictated, or not, by the C1 match against Arsenal on Tuesday : “I won’t think about Arsenal before the end of the match against Rennes, that we will have to win, that’s what is important. The rest is the future and that doesn’t interest me at all.”
Joao Neves : “What I expect from him is what I expect from all walks of life. He is perfectly adaptable to my idea of play, he has a vital characteristic for us, namely the ability not to lose the ball under pressure. Few players have it. In addition, there is his vision of the game, his physical power, his level, his intelligence, his relationship with his teammates, his rhythm and his offensive and defensive intensity. He adapts very quickly. But like the other summer recruits, Safonov, Pacho, Doué, they are all in a good connection with the rest of the team but I am very happy with the contribution of all four of them.
Rennes, Arsenal and Nice before the break, with a full infirmary : “These are usual periods for a high-level team, we are delighted to play these matches. There are small injuries here and there but no serious injuries, besides the three we already had (Kimpembe, Ramos, Hernandez). These are just small problems for others, things we know how to solve as a team.”
His relations with the selectors regarding Parisian players : “Contacts or requests? No, I don’t spend any energy on that. I was a coach, and an atypical coach in the sense that I gave rest to players who played a lot at club level. But here, as a club coach, I often have to give them rest time when I see that there is too much work, that’s my way of thinking. In any case, coach or selector, I think a lot about workload, travel, age, player profile… It’s my way of understanding sport. We have a few small problems at the moment, it’s true, but we have a fairly large workforce and a good level to find solutions.
If he can talk about tactics in French : “No (smile). For this, I have Pedro and Alberto who are perfectly bilingual. When I talk tactics to my players, I do it in Spanish and they translate into French. My goal is to do it in French and I will get there. As for speaking French in front of the press, I will do it when I really have the space because my goal is not to make a mistake.”
Also readPSG: the infirmary is full before Rennes, Donnarumma returns
If I am under pressure, it is a positive feeling, it means that I occupy an important position, that I am in an important club and with high level players.
Luis Enrique
The pressure : “The pressure… If I am under pressure, it is a positive feeling, it means that I occupy an important position, that I am in an important club and with high level players. I want this pressure. That’s the pressure I want. However, I am not stupid: I have been under this pressure for years and if the results are there we are loved, we are supported, and if they are not there, someone else will take my place and try to do better than me. With this simplicity, I take on all the challenges that this sport offers me. I feel very privileged to be under this pressure.
Facing low blocks : “It’s the theory of relativity in the face of low blocks. Opponents are always trying to do different things. We saw it in the Champions League, with a high-level match against Girona. It’s always difficult to fight against 10 or 11 players who protect the ball in a low block. But it’s the same problem with high pressing, pressing in the middle. As a coach, you are always ready to see the problems that the opponent will pose. For example, Rennes carried out high pressing in previous matches. Will they do it against us too? Sometimes yes, sometimes no, but perhaps not systematically like in previous matches because they will adapt to their opponent. We are a team that dominates, with more possession than the opponent, who adapts to that and will inevitably do things that you don’t expect. My job as a coach, and that of my staff, is to face potential problems and find solutions. Still, it’s always hard to fight a low block.”
Less pressure for this second season in Paris : “No, it’s not. There is internal pressure, that of the staff, we always want to improve. I know the standards and objectives of the club. The objective is that we want to make history. To do this, you have to win everything you can, win the most important competition (the C1). And that’s the goal I set for myself. I don’t come here for anything else. But pressure isn’t the only thing that conditions you. It’s typical of a big club and that’s how it should be.”
The match against Rennes : “Last season, Rennes already had the same coach (Julien Stéphan). Some players have left but it remains a team which plays at the top of the table and which gave us problems last season. They win points against us, we know that their behavior will evolve over the course of the match, pressing high, staying low, making a block in the middle… These are the things we expect because they have it already done last season. One thing is certain: there is no easy match. There will be problems but I am optimistic by nature. We are sure of a certain number of things, we do good pressing, we will have possession, we play well with the ball. And it’s at the Parc des Princes, it’s stimulating. It’s important for us to continue to play well and take points.”
21 different players in the starting 11 : “This strategy, the one I have had for years, aims to achieve different objectives. First of all, it gives the players the feeling that they can all play and help the team. It also allows you to be prepared in the event of an injury or physical problem. Finally, it’s always good to approach a season like that, with a group, not just 11 or 12 starters. This strategy has more advantages than disadvantages. With only 11 players involved, it would be very clear, but what interests me is a more global context. For that, I don’t need 11, 13 or 15 players, but 20 or 23 to help the team and for them to show me every day in training that they can play. “That’s the way I think a team is most likely to grow.”
Comments collected at a press conference
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