Wednesday, in advanced match of the 16th day of Ligue 1 2024-2025Paris Saint-Germain (1st) will face Monaco (3e) au Stade Louis II (kick-off at 9 p.m., diffusion on beIN SPORTS). On the eve of this meeting, Parisian coach Luis Enrique answered several questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique » I will try to call the players that I consider best prepared for this match. »
Skriniar and Kolo Muani aside and sold this winter?
We have a very difficult match tomorrow against Monaco, one of the direct competitors for the title. I will try to call the players that I consider best prepared for this match.
Which teams impressed you the most in Ligue 1? What do you think of Monaco?
I believe that Monaco without a doubt that last season was one of the toughest opponents and again this year. There are very technical players, a high-level coach and great offerings in the game. Marseille is well placed this year.
Last year Brest, Lille and Nice were very strong. This year, we see in the Champions League we see that there are more teams than PSG to perform. It’s a high level and there’s nothing easy about it. We always feel like we have an obligation to win given our potential. But Ligue 1 is stronger than I thought, and I hear other coaches say it. And we see it clearly in Europe.
Luis Enrique “We want to give him some rest, but it’s not easy in the calendar. »
Hakimi, how to manage your playing time and the second half of the season?
It’s a job for me and my staff, we want the playing time to be adequate for each player. There is the playing time and the physical profile of each player, they are different. He’s a world-class player in this area, we’re taking advantage of that.
He played a lot last year and the Olympics. We want to give him some rest, but it’s not easy on the schedule.
Is the trip still difficult in Monaco?
I remember last season having a draw and it could have gone either way. It’s always difficult away and even more so against a direct competitor. But I believe that we have the characteristic of being competitive wherever we are.
Luis Enrique “There is no sufficient advantage. »
With a 10-point lead, the championship would be folded?
No. Championships are won mathematically at the end of the season. 3 days ago we had 5 points, now 7. A lot of things can happen, there is a big schedule. There is not enough advantage.
An undefeated season, is it way too early to think about it or is it motivation?
What I believe is that these are numbers…I had never thought about it. I want to win trophies, I’m here for that. But this fact that you mention seems difficult. What matters is the game, our behavior, our ideas. The rest is hard to see. Even more in this calendar with matches every 3 days.
Luis Enrique “we sometimes lose players. But it doesn’t depend on me, it depends on them. »
What improvement do you want in your team?
I liked having 2 players at each position who can be starters. Real competition. I have him at the goalkeeper position, there are even 3 of them. For the others, we sometimes lose players. But it doesn’t depend on me, it depends on them. The basis for growing as a team is that players do not know in advance if they are going to play. They must have in mind that another player can take the place.
Can you say more about why Kolo Muani is not in the band and he doesn’t play much?
I could explain it, but I don’t. The decisions say everything very clearly. The situations are reversible. It doesn’t matter who the players are. Everything can change. But I’m not going to go into detail, I don’t. I prefer to be criticized, I’m used to that.
Luis Enrique » I find it a shame when a player disconnects, but I’m here to decide. »
What positions are you considering for recruitment?
I know it’s utopian to really have 2 players in each position, no one has that. There is always one player who has the upper hand and one who plays less. But it’s important that a player feels that if he drops in form he could lose his place. I think it’s a shame when a player disconnects, but I’m here to decide. I’m a coach.
I know you want the details, but I repeat that all situations are reversible. But you have to show it to me. It’s difficult. It’s easy to complain or say a player should play.
The other thing I’m looking for is looking for 14, 15, 17 starters! The more excellent a group we have, the more we can promote the level of training. Which prepares for all competitions.
Zaire-Emery back in form?
Warren is a player with a very high level of play. I always see him, I haven’t seen anyone worse.
Luis Enrique “Non-verbal language is very clear. If a player doesn’t want to talk to me, I respect them. »
Dembélé lacks consistency to reach a level?
I have known him very well, for years, as a person or a player. I have always defended him. He is a very nice person, an excellent player. From that, I want him to give his best version. This goes for all players. I make my decisions to get the best out of a player or the team. It doesn’t matter if I talk to him a lot or less. I would like to be close to all the players, but it’s impossible.
Non-verbal language is very clear. If a player doesn’t want to talk to me, I respect them. I know my job, I know how to do it and my decisions depend on what I see. And if I’m wrong, it can happen, it’s with my ideas.
Are you expecting a high or low Monaco tomorrow?
This is the question we have between us before every match. We look at what the opponent did in the weeks before, last year if it’s the same coach.
Last year, at the Parc they pressed high and we were able to get out, then at home it was more varied. They can do both. We must be prepared for both cases, be open to all possibilities. Monaco is better than last year, it will be a difficult match.
Luis Enrique “It is the workload and the training that will give the indications. »
When will Kimpembe be able to play? Before the truce?
No, I don’t know. This is a very different case. It has been two years since he played a full professional football match, with 2 different relapses. It’s very risky to rush the process. It is the workload and training that will give the indications. It’s a physical problem and not a medical one, that’s fine. I’m waiting to see that he’s competitive.
Monaco beat Barcelona in the Champions League, a team made to beat possession?
Remember there’s a red card quite early in this match? This is an important fact of play. Monaco has a very high level, which knows how to unbalance. It’s a profile close to Lyon. They were able to improve defensively. We will have to give a very good version of our team defensively and offensively. But we are used to being up to the task in these matches.
