On the eve of a PSG/Saint-Etienne match (8:45 p.m. Sunday) which will mark the resumption of Ligue 1, Luis Enrique was at a press conference. And if he refused to discuss individual cases overall, the PSG coach has repeatedly indicated how happy he is with what his troops are offering in training as the month of January begins. decisive announcement.
On PSG TV:
PSG is back from a big tour in Qatar, concluded with this coronation during the Champions Trophy, against Monaco (1-0), Sunday. What did these few days in Doha and this victory bring?
“Above all, this allowed us to reconnect with competition after a welcome holiday period, which allowed us to be with family and to recover. The course in Qatar was very positive, both thanks to the weather there and the outcome of this final, which turned out in our favor. It was very positive. I am very satisfied with all this. »
PSG is entering a very busy period. What is the hardest? The pace of matches or the diversity of competitions?
“The great opportunity of being a team like us offers you the means to play six matches in a row in less than three weeks, with the Coupe de France, the Champions League and Ligue 1. It’s a great motivation for all of us. I see a team totally connected and united during training. This makes me optimistic and makes me want to approach these upcoming matches. »
PSG will start its 2025 year at the Parc des Princes against AS Saint-Étienne on Sunday evening. What do you expect from this opponent in difficulty but who has just welcomed a new coach, Eirik Horneland?
“It’s always difficult for people to understand, because teams often change the way they play against us. But, in this case, their coach has only been there for one match and has only recently become familiar with French football. Our objective clearly remains to improve, to continue to progress and to prepare for the many matches to come. »
At a press conference:
How would you describe Nuno Mendes’ first part of the season? Are you counting on him in the long term at PSG?
“What I see in training pleases me more and more”
” Good morning. Well, everything is in order. In individual and collective terms. I don’t like to talk about a particular player, as is the case here with Nuno Mendes. Instead, I would like to talk about my team in general. I like what I see in training more and more. »
Ousmane Dembélé has had a mixed half-season. He was involved in 15 goals but was taken out of the squad before facing Arsenal. Do you have a wish to make for 2025 regarding him?
“No, I don’t have any special wishes for anyone. He is involved in 15 goals. Is that right? (He nods) But again, I prefer to speak from a collective point of view, I am happy with what I see. I’m happy to generate competition between my players. I love seeing players try to improve and constantly try. I don’t have much more to say. »
Dembélé spoke after the Champions Trophy against Monaco on Sunday about the fact that the players had “their heads for the match against Manchester City”. How can you keep your group focused on the present moment until this shock?
“I don’t know if he said that. If he said it, I didn’t see it. These little sentences that appear in the media are not always reliable. I think the thing that characterizes PSG is the preparation for all the matches. The only important match currently is Saint-Étienne. The rest, we will see later. We have to prepare Saint-Étienne as if it were a Champions League match. We play every match with the same preparation conditions, whether at home or away. This is what makes my team great in my opinion. What will happen in two or three weeks are just words, sentences, and sometimes clichés. The only match we can control is tomorrow’s match. Saint-Étienne is a dangerous opponent. It’s a historic club in France and they need to do things right. We too need to do things well to be ready for what comes next. The Parc des Princes is a superb showcase for preparing for what will happen in the future. »
In which area do you expect your team to improve as we approach the big deadlines this January?
“All aspects of the game, whether offensively or defensively. »
How do you judge Désiré Doué’s recent development? Are you satisfied with his progress since his arrival from Rennes?
“There is nothing more beautiful than belonging to a collective and feeling important within a team”
“I believe that the comment I am going to see applies to all the offensive elements of the squad: Barcola, Doué… When they score goals, you place them on a pedestal and my role is to calm them down, to “cool them down” . Conversely, when you push them down, my role is to nurture their confidence and “lift” them up. We have a goal and do not depend on the goals of one player or another, but more on a squad. I know it doesn’t sell jerseys or newspapers to say that, but it does here. There is nothing more beautiful than belonging to a collective and feeling important within a team. This is what I look for in my players. For example, you say that Barcola isn’t scoring a goal at the moment, so I’m trying to show him that he’s still important. Top-level football works this way. That’s why it’s difficult to be a PSG player. »
Some coaches believe that a match is won in both areas, with a great goalkeeper and a good striker, while others see the midfield battle as decisive. Where do you think a football match is won?
“Whoever scores the most normally wins the match. That’s what I think about football. »
-You are in an unusual contractual situation since you signed your contract extension several weeks ago and PSG still has not made it official. How are you coping with this rare situation? And do you still want to see Luis Campos extend his contract in Paris?
“Contracts, for me, are wet papers”
“On these issues, I am very happy. Contracts, for me, are wet papers. I have no problem signing one-week contracts if necessary. I need to feel good every day. This is the case here. The club has given me a lot of confidence since day one. The sports management is the same as when I arrived. The rest doesn’t matter to me. We sign, and one day, if the club doesn’t want me anymore, I’m leaving. I have always built my career like this. What interests me is to move this project forward, a very attractive project. I want to enjoy every day that I am PSG coach. And I repeat, the club gives me confidence. »
You could be compared to «The Professor»character from the series La Casa de Papel. You want to have a complete team, capable of adapting to all situations. Do you think the team is able to answer them?
“I really like your metaphor. I think that’s what we’ve been doing since we arrived here: adapting to our opponent, but keeping control of the match. We have possession, which is the key to the match. Next, what does the opponent do? Does he press more or less intensely? Does it fold? All of these factors are what we try to work on to help our players find solutions. That’s the key to football in my opinion. »
What levers do you use to keep your players focused for all matches?
“There are many players who can play as a starter”
“There are matches where there is almost no need to be there. I’m talking in terms of motivation. In the Champions League, for example, motivation is natural. Right now we are in the best moment of the season. I saw some very good things in training last week. I like what I see a lot. There are many players who can play as a starter. This means that there is a lot of competitiveness in the squad. So either you motivate yourself or another player passes you by. It’s very positive for a coach. I repeat, I am very happy with what I see in training. »
Do you feel any pressure ahead of the match against Manchester City (January 22)?
“No, I don’t feel any pressure. »
Marco Asensio has played very little in recent weeks. Can you explain his decreasing playing time to us?
“As always, my decisions speak more than me”
” No. As always, my decisions speak louder than me. I can answer here, make something up. But that’s not my style. My decisions say what I think of a player at a given moment. I make my decisions based on what I see in session. Obviously, those who don’t play don’t agree, but that’s my role. I always say that there is no irreversible situation. I have nothing to explain about this. »
Is it important for you to recruit players capable of playing several positions?
“Anytime you have the opportunity to use a player in multiple positions, it’s positive. A player specializing in a particular position is also very interesting. Since our arrival a year and a half ago, many players have been able to play in different positions. This is something that I find very positive. I can change my team and game situations without changing players on the field. We will continue on this path. »
Is the coming month the most dangerous for PSG, with the conclusion of the Champions League league stage?
“We’ll see. There are six matches in January. Like all competitions, if we don’t win, we will be eliminated. It will be the same thing against Espaly (in the Coupe de France, Wednesday, 9 p.m.). If we lose four Ligue 1 matches, we will no longer be at the top of the table. I always think the opposite. I see a very good team competing. Why should I be negative? I think it’s more positive for the team and for me to see things positively. This is our goal. »
Marquinhos did not train this (Saturday) morning after suffering discomfort during the Champions Trophy. Will it be available tomorrow evening?
” No. He won’t be able to play. »
