It was a much less angry Luis Enrique than at the end of PSG/Nantes (1-1) who presented himself at a press conference. There was inevitably talk of the lack of success of his troops, once again, and the coach struggles to explain it. But the PSG coach also spoke about the return of Gonçalo Ramos and some of his evening choices. Here are his full remarks, translated by us.
Good evening, we saw you very angry after the match, which is rare, what didn’t you like this evening?
“Once again we have to score goals, not just create chances”
” Good evening [en français]. I think I was in my usual style on the sidelines, but I needed to let off some steam for a second. We played a complete game regarding domination, the creation of scoring chances, the way we defended. But once again you have to score goals, not just create chances. In that sense, it’s frustrating for the players, for me, for everyone. But there is only one way: insist, insist, insist, insist, insist, insist until the end. »
You said after the match in Munich that defeats give you information about your players. This evening, Ousmane Dembélé and Warren Zaire-Emery did not start, is this linked to the Bayern match (0-1)?
Editor’s note: Given the beginning of the answer, we have doubts as to whether he understood the question correctly.
” No. But it’s a message that I like and I do it directly with my players. Not every day but when I consider it appropriate. But it is also a message for the supporters: why does one player play rather than another? Clearly, any information, especially in important matches, and any negative result gives a lot of guidance, much more than a victory. I try to use that always for the benefit of the team, which is the coach’s job. But anyway I have nothing to complain about with any of my players. But I want them to improve, to reveal themselves. Those who don’t play a minute should train 100% from Tuesday. Let the incumbent think he is going to lose his place. Let the one who scores think about scoring more goals. Whoever defends well should remember to give his all. That’s my obsession as a coach. »
What did PSG lack to score this second goal, just success or creativity? Or are the players blunt?
“What’s missing?” A bit of what is visible »
“No, I don’t think (that the players are blunt). When we prepare for a match, we imagine a plan to create 5-6 chances to win the match. That’s what we did this evening, 5 clear chances in the first half. 2 or 3 clear second. The opponent made a very good move and scored. But they had two shots on goal on target. What is missing? A bit of what is visible. A little more confidence, a little more clarity, a little more precision, a little more faith. Lots of things can come into play to gain confidence and do what is necessary to score. But I repeat we will continue to insist. »
You have established Donnarumma, is this in a logic of alternation or are you still looking for a starting goalkeeper?
“I have three very good goalkeepers. They have to get used to being ready to give their best version. I believe the three can do it even if we haven’t seen Arnau (Tenas) yet. Safonov and Gigio I want them 100% ready, just like the other players. It’s not a problem when you replace a winger, for the goalkeepers, as long as I don’t consider that there is one above the others, I want them all ready. »
What were your words to your players after the meeting?
“After the match, unless there is something to celebrate, there is nothing to say”
“(he mimes the fact that he said nothing then answers) None. I don’t talk to players after a match, I never have. And it’s something that I recommend to all high-level, mid-level, children’s coaches. When a match ends, you shouldn’t talk about anything. If you win, everyone is happy and you don’t have to do anything. If you lose, everyone is upset, the coach too and a disaster could happen. When a match ends, you go to your space, you let the players breathe, and after watching the match on Tuesday we will analyze everything and we will pass on the messages that need to be conveyed. After the match, unless there is something to celebrate, there is nothing to say. That’s my opinion, maybe I’m wrong. This is what I have been doing since I started training many years ago. »
How do you explain that the opponent scores so easily with so few chances?
“It will change, in the medium or long term that’s for sure. But right now, inexplicable”
“Inexplicable. This year we have the best collective numbers of my coaching career in terms of chances created and conceded. Inexplicable, I can’t explain it. There is a moment when I don’t know what to say. It will change, that’s for sure. It is impossible for this negative series to continue. In the Champions League I think we have an efficiency of 1.9%. Normally it’s around 10%. And my team is quality, the players have a lot of quality. But, in the current dynamic…We are going to shorten it and change it. It will change, in the medium or long term that’s for sure. But right away, inexplicable. We had 5 clear scoring chances in the first half, from the penalty spot or near the goal, and they were saved or missed. It’s like this [en français]. »
This week, you came up against Bayern who pressed very high then against FC Nantes who played with a low block, what is the most difficult type of opponent to beat in your opinion?
“We’re talking about a team level…Nantes had a very good match against us last year, and we won in the 80th minute. But as we had won 2-1 we didn’t talk about it but our match was much worse than today. We had created a lot fewer chances but we had won. Today we created much more than the opponent. Nantes played very well on its goal action, a very beautiful individual action. And they defended very well throughout the match. But even with that we shot 24 times, between 8 and 10 times on target. We have done our homework, but the grade is not enough. (He returns to the question) Both are difficult: a team that presses you creates difficulties, a team that defends low with 11 players behind the ball is difficult. It’s always difficult to attack a low block. But we didn’t have a problem creating chances. »
Gonçalo Ramos returned as a starter, what did you think of his performance and what are his areas for improvement?
“Gonçalo is a surface player who generates a lot of chances”
“You asked me so many questions about the false 9. Here we have a real 9 and what’s happening? As if that was the solution. I’m kidding, but it’s reality. If we go four matches without scoring with a real 9, what will we look for? The solution is not in one player on this team. It’s a team sport. Now, more seriously, Gonçalo Ramos played his first starting match of the season, his first full match which is big news. Gonçalo is a surface player who generates a lot of chances, moves well, gives us continuity. A very interesting player for us and I am happy with his contribution during the match. »
Achraf Hakimi was again a scorer and he is one of your most dangerous players despite being a defender. Have you ever thought about playing him higher up the pitch, as a winger for example?
“He can’t play higher unless we put him with the Ultras. He plays between the lines and as a winger. When we have the ball, he plays as an attacker, he’s not a full-back. He only plays from the side when we defend, and often he defends high. He is only on the side when Gigio has the ball. The rest of the time he is an attacker, on the side or between the lines. He scores goals because we know his ability to take up space and get into the box. But he can’t play higher. »
