After PSG's victory in Angers marked by a big increase in efficiency, it was Luis Enrique touched by the drama experienced by a member of the staff but also relieved to see his team find the net again who presented himself in press conference. The Parisian coach notably mentioned the differences between Ligue 1 and the Champions League, two competitions where the Parisians do not behave in the same way at all, with Asensio as the symbol of this. Here are his full remarks, translated by us.
You mentioned a “blockage” of your players on Friday (at a press conference). Scoring 4 goals in this context must feel good?
“First of all, it’s a very sad day because a very important person on the staff lost his wife. Rafael Pol's wife died – we just learned at the end of the match – following a long illness. We would of course like to dedicate this victory to Raquel and Rafael, as well as their families. We share their pain from a distance and send all our strength and all our thoughts to their families.
“This blockage that we all see in the Champions League will sooner or later disappear”
Our team played a very complete match today. Honestly, and I've been thinking this for a long time, the team plays the way we want, regardless of whether the players are regular starters or not. There is no doubt about the attitude and behavior as a team. Today against a difficult opponent, it seemed easy, but nothing could be further from the truth. This evening, strangely enough, we were very efficient. I am sure that this blockage that we all see in the Champions League will sooner or later disappear. Today's match is a good starting point to regain confidence and improve in this area. »
Why are you efficient in the Championship and not in the Champions League? Is it a question of level? Depression ?
“We will change things, I am sure, because the quality of the players is there. »
“For example, Brest and Monaco play in the Champions League, right? They have scored many more goals than us in a competition which is played over a shorter period. It is obvious that this is going very well for Brest and Monaco, and I am all the more happy about it because it allows everyone to see that the level of the French championship is very high. But it sometimes happens in football, in general. For our part, we are trying to change things. We will change them, I'm sure, because the quality of the players is there.
It's not like our players have a very different way of doing things than any other team. But yes, I think that the excess pressure and responsibilities can be felt before the Champions League, and can have an impact. But that should not be an excuse and I remain convinced that the team will score a lot of goals in the Champions League, that is my objective, especially for the matches to come. But the quality is there and the players can still gain confidence. But (this match against Angers) is a good start to remember that everything is in our hands. »
You highlighted the offensive qualities of Paris which actually scored 4 goals this evening but only in the space of a quarter of an hour. Are you still disappointed with this efficiency which was not confirmed in the second half? And how do you analyze the two goals conceded at the very end of the match?
“Have you ever played football?”
(The journalist answers yes).
And you played well?
(The reporter responds “oh not as well, no”)
Ah well I understand now…
(He is ironic) It's a match that should have ended at half-time for everyone. Including the fans who started throwing tennis balls because they wanted to play tennis…
(The journalist repeats: “No, but you bring in Dembélé and Kolo Muani in the second half. We could assume that you were hoping to see more goals”)
Yes. Yes, yes… I always want more goals. But so does the adversary. »
You persist and sign with Marco Asensio, who had a very good match tonight. What are the qualities that make him an indisputable holder of his position in recent times?
“I think Marco Asensio made 3 assists today, right? He's a top quality player on the ball, that's for sure. Kolo Muani also created chances entering the second half. It’s a very good dynamic. My goal is to have as many players as possible who want to help, that's what I like. I don't put barriers on myself. If there are as many players as possible who can help the team, it's better for everyone: for me, for them and for the team. This is my goal as a coach.
“If a number 9 suddenly plays, it doesn't matter which one, and he responds, I'm delighted. »
If a number 9 suddenly plays, it doesn't matter which one, and he responds, I'm delighted. If I didn't trust a player and he changes my mind by training at a high level, and playing at a high level, I'm happy about it. I don't put barriers on myself, ever. So far, with what I see and how I want my team to play, I am proceeding with these players. But I always leave the door open that any player who plays less can change his situation through training and minutes of play, or even just training. I'm always open to that. »
We saw Hakimi much more on the right side, who left the axis to Lee, unlike usual where Hakimi entered the axis and left the right side to Dembelé. Does this respond to the qualities of Lee, more axial than Dembelé, or to a more profound change on your part?
“We occupy the spaces that seem most usable for our players. In the first half, Hakimi, like Kang-In Lee, can swap to occupy the central axis or the sides. And when Ousmane came into play, in this case in the second half, it was to occupy the central axis because we preferred Yoram (Zague) to cover the width and depth. It doesn't just come down to players who can change positions, it also depends on the type of players present. For example, in the second half we preferred that Ousmane limit himself to the center without moving off-center and leave the lane free. It's the synergies between players that we look at every game and try to balance. »
