On Saturday, during Matchday 30 of Ligue 1 for the season 2024-2025, Paris Saint-Germain (ranked first) will face off against Le Havre (in sixteenth place) at the Parc des Princes stadium (with kick-off scheduled for 5 PM CET). Prior to the game, Coach Luis Enrique from Paris addressed several queries during a press briefing.
Luis Enrique said, "I appreciated the mindset of my players."
Can you describe how the second half began against Aston Villa?
Overall, I enjoyed the entire match. As a Champions League qualifier, this was exactly what we anticipated. Upon thoroughly analyzing the game, I believe our performance surpassed our expectations. However, factors like emotion and the final outcome also played significant roles.
There is always space for enhancement. However, when I assess the match objectively, devoid of emotional bias or outcomes, I observed a highly valiant squad at Villa Park. The demeanor of my players was commendable too. Despite committing errors—common in football—we did have some bright spots. Improvement remains essential, yet we also had encouraging aspects.
It wouldn't be right to assume that we will always dominate our rivals or that we're considered favorites. No one at PSG entertains such thoughts. Our presence in these four semifinals is well-deserved; we were also there last year. Throughout the game, I noticed many encouraging signs, despite facing some challenging moments during the first part of the second half.
Luis Enrique: "We're not indestructible, but we never surrender."
Is PSG expected to become even more powerful next season?
(Laughing), I genuinely can’t say for certain. There was some doubt last year, but clarifying that has been beneficial. The message needs to get through though. We must persuade both the team members and supporters. Should we remain resolute, they will follow suit without hesitation. As of now, predicting our success this season remains unclear since three major trophies are yet up for grabs, such as the Club World Cup. By the time those games come around, I should have more insight to share with you.
Are you focusing on the mental aspects to understand how to respond to challenges?
No, we aim to be prepared for anything that occurs throughout the season. Handling the positive aspects is straightforward, but managing the negatives is more challenging. However, the squad has successfully navigated these issues all season long.
I appreciated how we responded following the tough period in the latter part of the game, particularly when we created opportunities to take back control. Our aim is to maintain possession whenever feasible; otherwise, our adversaries excel at their tactics. While we aren’t unbeatable, we always persevere. This determination resonates with our supporters.
Luis Enrique stated, "We have reached the semifinals and we will be facing one of the top teams globally."
Why isn’t the Strasbourg game being postponed? Is it to maintain consistency in the schedule?
Every read tends to vary somewhat, each player brings their own set of skills. Certain individuals require additional training sessions. No one strategy fits every situation. Flexibility is key. Our squad excels across various tournaments. This gives us an edge going forward. I trust my roster completely, regardless of which athletes I select.
Does having played for English clubs prior to joining Arsenal offer an advantage?
No, not a drawback either. A recognizable trend might exist among English teams. Throughout the season, we've faced multiple English clubs, such as Arsenal initially. Although they eliminated us from contention previously, we find ourselves in the semifinals now against what’s considered one of the top sides. Under Mikel Arteta’s leadership, they have shown significant improvement.
Luis Enrique: "Our objective is to create history."
Did you achieve your goals upon joining PSG?
Not yet, we haven’t achieved our goal. Ever since we got here, our mission has been to create history. For us to accomplish this, we must secure every victory, right up to claiming the trophy everyone knows about. We will leave nothing on the field as we strive to be the inaugural champions in Paris.
The crucial aspect is to reach our destination and put forth all of our efforts. Regardless of the outcomes, the team continues to move ahead persistently.
Luis Enrique stated, "A lot alters when there is a shift."
Why wasn't Warren Zaïre-Emery included in the only lineup alteration for the match against Aston Villa?
Each game requires a resolution. Many factors can be adjusted during play. Typically, we implement alterations between the 60th and 70th minutes. However, in crucial matches, my team and I must ensure with certainty that our modification will improve our chances of winning.
Many aspects transform when there’s a shift, varying positions on the field. Starting from the 65th minute, I enjoyed how the team played; we created opportunities and should have scored, but I believed in the players on the pitch.
They were crystal clear about their course of action. Had we entered overtime, I would've implemented the alterations. This scenario was quite out of the ordinary for me. Still, perhaps we sidestepped potential errors. Possibly those adjustments might have proved more beneficial. Yet one must remain steadfast in their decisions.
Luis Enrique states, "Always perform at the peak level."
What steps are you taking to get ready for Le Havre and the remainder of Ligue 1?
As always, we're making our preparations. There's an opportunity to set a new record, which serves as excellent motivation. We've already claimed the championship title, achieving our primary objective. However, I emphasize to my team that if they aspire to represent PSG over multiple seasons, they must consistently perform at their peak capability.
Le Havre will enter the game with high motivation since many things are on the line. However, the squad needs to demonstrate their competitiveness fully. This drive propels us to prepare adequately for upcoming challenges. Undoubtedly, maintaining this level of enthusiasm throughout the match could prove challenging.
Luis Enrique " Football moves at an incredible pace; things can shift rapidly. That’s what makes it so captivating."
Must you endure suffering to become competitive in soccer?
Facing tough moments doesn't imply ceasing to play; every player has an adversary as well. During the semifinals, at least one team will inevitably get knocked out and must exert all their effort to advance further. The sport moves swiftly, with situations shifting rapidly. This unpredictability is part of what makes soccer so captivating.
Yesterday, we witnessed it during the match between Manchester United and Lyon; it was sheer chaos. Such is football—these unpredictable moments are hard to control. It's all part of maturing. That’s what makes this game so thrilling.
What strategies do you use for managing players with minimal or zero experience in the Champions League, ensuring they maintain strong performances moving forward?
That's an excellent point. I have faced significant criticism throughout Europe for employing extensive player rotations. This has consistently been part of how I manage every team. There will be games when I deviate from this approach, and I receive backlash. As a coach, I place great trust in numerous players. It's crucial to have as many squad members prepared to step into starting roles as feasible. Quality playing time is essential.
Just because they haven't participated in a game, it doesn't imply I lack faith in them. It's possible for me to harbor uncertainties, but I take action solely when I am convinced.
Luis Enrique stated, "Both teams were exceptionally robust."
Is Paris more mentally resilient than Lyon?
No, that’s a common reporter’s query. You're considered mentally tough if you win and weak if you lose. However, that doesn’t apply here. When everything looked bleak for Lyon, they fought back even with one player short and changed the course of the game.
That's impressive from a mental standpoint. Afterwards, they faced challenges when taking shots down a player, especially with a defender in the box; that goes beyond just mental fortitude. Both teams displayed remarkable strength.
