At the Parc des Princes,
The project has changed. After two months of competition, it’s no longer news when we talk about PSG, but there are matches like that which support the doctrine more than others. To beat Strasbourg on Saturday evening (4-2), Luis Enrique was without Marquinhos, Hakimi and Dembélé, his three most experienced players with Donnarumma. The average age of his team did not even reach 23 years, including the first start of Titi Senna Mayulu, 18 years old. So, it’s not that young people never had their chance before, but the Parisian coach opened the floodgates. Because it is still the best way to accomplish his purpose.
By clicking on“I accept”you accept the deposit of cookies by external services and will thus have access to the content of our partners.
More information on the Cookie management policy page
I accept
He summed it up this way, during the press conference after the match: “My objective is to develop the team. Before, it depended on individuals and this is no longer the case. There are a lot of players who can score, but I don’t care who scored or made assists. What interests me is that everyone participates in the attack and the defense. »
Follow his gaze… The shift, which began last year during the Spanish coach’s first season in Paris, has obviously intensified with the departure of Kylian Mbappé. In the documentary series currently dedicated to him on the Movistar + platform, Luis Enrique makes no secret of it. “He was the cornerstone of the project. We are going to defend in such a way so that Kylian does not leave too much strength, we are going to attack in such a way so that Kylian has freedom… Now, the project is the team,” he says on camera.
The Mayulu example
In his mind, we have to integrate everyone, even if it means systematically changing four or five players from one match to the next, even those who are in the middle of a jam. A match like the one on Saturday, returning from an international break which greatly tired the bodies of some, was therefore an opportunity to revive others, like Skriniar, Beraldo or Doué, and to bring a touch of freshness with Mayulu in midfield. The latter responded, with a magnificent goal to launch his team but also overflowing activity and astonishing confidence (6 shots attempted).
Present in the group since the start of 2024, the young midfielder could have left last summer. Solicited, he finally signed his first professional contract at PSG, partly thanks to the words of his coach. “I spoke to him, I told him I like the way he plays and I would like him to stay. He did it and I am very satisfied with it, said Luis Enrique. He has a lot of physical qualities and he has the ability to score goals. He scored one but he could have scored three. He has both feet, he is a player with a great future and we will have a lot of joy with him. »
By clicking on“I accept”you accept the deposit of cookies by external services and will thus have access to the content of our partners.
More information on the Cookie management policy page
I accept
Striker Ibrahim Mbaye, even younger at 16, can also show a certain confidence. Entering at the end of the match on Saturday, he is already making his fifth appearance since the start of the season. “The coach gives them a lot of confidence, during training and through the entries they can make,” notes Bradley Barcola, passing through the mixed zone after the match. That’s good, I’ve been there too and I think that’s what the coach does. In training, he encourages them to repeat efforts, to have confidence in what they do. »
Barcola, again author of a great performance with a goal and a pass, who at the age of 22 already passes for a manager among all these kids. “I like it,” he continued. It’s a beautiful role, and by being behind them, by pushing them, we push ourselves. » We saw the Parisian dragster encouraging Désiré Doué whenever he could, in particular, who we still don’t feel quite liberated. Arriving this summer with a huge transfer (50 million euros) after only a season and a half at the highest level, the former Rennais tried a lot on his right wing, without much success but with the congratulations of the coach at the exit.
Hiccups, but the project is making progress
“He can play in several positions, the three in front and also in the middle, because he has a lot of versatility and I am very satisfied with his match,” judged Luis Enrique. He is physically good, technically on point and he has the right mentality. He played 90 minutes at a very good level and I am confident for his near future. »
The Spaniard does not deviate from his guideline, to help all his players grow together, and to make them compatible with his well-established ideas of play. It’s not without posing some problems, all the same, because Saturday’s overall performance confirmed the chronic porosity of this season, with only two matches out of ten ending without conceding a goal. But the project is making progress.
OUR PSG FILE
“We also had one of the youngest teams in L1 facing us and we like this philosophy,” asserts the latter. For young players to develop, they need real matches like this, with tension. This is what will promote their exponential progress. The goal is to win titles and play in the best way possible. » A thought that appeals to high places, since the leaders have just extended the coach until 2027.
