The Parisian coach looks back on his players’ 2-0 defeat at Arsenal on Tuesday during the second day of the Champions League.
On the Donnarumma match : “I don’t come here to individualize the defeat. If I did, it would be to say that the defeat is mine. Gigio was like his teammates, to a minimum standard. The opponent was better in pressure, duels… With the second goal, they perhaps retreated, taking fewer risks but Arsenal deserved the victory and we, the defeat.
The lessons : “The real level of the team? We will know at the end of the season. It was the first high-level match. There will be others, with high-level opponents. We will have to wait until the end of the season for that.”
The team’s game faithful to its initial idea… or not : “It is impossible to have a favorable result when you do not win the duels. The defenders anticipated our attackers, but not the other way around. They were superior to us, from the first minute of the match.”
Why not Randal Kolo Muani at kick-off : “We knew Arsenal were going to press high. They did it. After the match, it’s easy to say that one player would have been better than another… It’s part of the game. But if you try to get out of this pressure without winning the duels, it’s hard to win this match .”
Also readPSG’s notes at Arsenal: the limits of Donnarumma, Barcola and Doué harmless
I have a very clear idea of where I want to go, but I don’t know how much time I will need
Luis Enrique
The team’s progress : “I can’t rate it. Arteta has been here for six years. I’ve only been in Paris for a year and two months. I have a very clear idea of where I want to go, but I don’t know how much time I will need.”
Goals that came from crosses, a known strength of Arsenal and… a known weakness of PSG : “We were facing one of the best teams in Europe and the world in aerial play. We knew it. On the second goal, it’s an easy free kick. But all teams must always improve in all phases of the game, and this is the case for us too.
PSG fragile in duels, not aggressive enough : “It’s high-level football. We played away, it must be remembered. We played with intensity. But the opponent was better than us. I don’t know if we will play this opponent again, but my analysis today will not be the same tomorrow. We must not repeat this type of match.
Comments collected at a press conference
