“Safonov helped generate a certain superiority, he was very good,” analyzes Luis Enrique

The match : “I remember that it was a very complete match on our part against an aggressive opponent, who dared and who made things difficult for us by preventing us from playing at our usual pace. But we had a lot of chances from the start of the match, we deserved to score more goals. It is a deserved victory, for which we had to fight a lot. These are three more points for us.

The tenure of Matfey Safonov : “I knew we would have a lot of difficulty due to Lens' pressing, very high pressing, the only free player in this case is the goalkeeper. I have one obsession: that all players can play. I want there to be Safonov as prepared as Gigio (Donnarumma) or Arnau (Tenas) to play at any time. This is the case for goalkeepers but also for all other positions. I work on this every day. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don't. But I like it, I like to see the players ready. And I believe that Safonov helped generate a certain superiority, he was very good. It wasn't easy for him but I'm very happy with his performance. 12 passes missed by the Russian goalkeeper? Superiority is generated when an opponent imposes great pressure in the opposing half of the field. But the opponent must attack the goalkeeper and this allows a free player to be left on the field. Most of the time, we found solutions and it turned into a scoring opportunity. Safonov made no mistakes. Sometimes it's a little more precise, whether or not the attacker receives the ball doesn't matter too much. But Safonov is a very complete player and I think we had a very good match in these difficult game situations. A better kicking game than Donnarumma? I didn’t say that.”

Fabian Ruiz : “My five midfielders all have a very high level (Vitinha, Neves, Zaire-Emery, Mayulu and Ruiz, Editor’s note). Fabian is a recognized player, Spanish international, European champion. He has an ability to do things that fans and journalists don't see. He is very intelligent in playing according to the positioning of his partners. Today, like everyone, he had a very difficult match because there was no time to think but I am very happy with the performance of all my midfielders, Joao, Vitinha, Fabian, Warren who came on during the game. You haven't seen Senny today. But once again, I am very happy with the performance of those who played.”

On the departure of his deputy Aitor Unzué : “Nothing special to tell you. In football, everyone has their own way, it's the same for the players, the technical staff, there are decisions that I take as the major person responsible for my team. I thank Aitor for these four years spent together. I wish him the best.”

The Marquinhos/Pacho hinge : “In Pacho we found a very high level central defender. He is very young (23 years old). But it is perfect for our idea of ​​play, with high pressing, this idea of ​​having space behind us. He's a very powerful player, strong in duels but who doesn't make a mistake, he doesn't take a card, and he always finds space when he has the ball. He also has room for improvement. His adaptation is much faster than what we expected of him…”

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I am a coach willing to change my mind at any time.

Luis Enrique

Randal Kolo Muani stuck on the bench during the last two matches : “I count on all my players. It's my idea. I am a coach willing to change my mind at any time. And this based on what I see. But once again I count on all my players, it's my job as a coach. I have no complaints against any of them.”

PSG dominates in Ligue 1 : “I don't read the press, but since the start of the season, there was a rumor saying that we were not the strongest team or various other things. But none of this comes true. We have to stay focused and continue on the same line after these ten days, we are leaders with six points ahead of second (Monaco). We must maintain this intention of always being at the highest level of competition and room for improvement. But I think that the comments that were made at the start of the season do not materialize in reality. Often, there were ideas against PSG, but we are here to deny all that.

Comments collected at a press conference