Chelsea v PSG: Luis Enrique clear-headed, "we’ll have tough moments" | OneFootball

Tuesday, during the second leg of the round of 16 (PSG won 5-2 in the first leg) of the 2025-2026 Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain will face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (kick-off at 9 PM, broadcast on Canal+). On the eve of this match, Parisian coach Luis Enrique answered several questions in a press conference.

Luis Enrique "We are used to playing this type of match. We aim to perform in the best way."

Ousmane just said that Paris should not change its mentality. What is the best solution according to you?

It's clear that we have only played the first match. The second one remains. The second is always different, return matches are different. One team is currently eliminated and is preparing to change that. So, it's different and very complicated. We are used to playing this type of match. We aim to perform in the best way.

Luis Enrique "We are capable of playing against any top-level team"

Has the team regained confidence?

Confidence is a special thing. What I can say is that we can be better or worse in the match, but what we have shown in every match is that we are a real team, very difficult to play against. We are capable of playing against any top-level team.

Dembélé mentioned the match at Aston Villa, did you also refer to it?

It was a clear example of what a football match can become. We prepared with the intention to win, to score. But there will be difficult moments, we must know how to control them. The objective is to win. But we will have moments of suffering.

Luis Enrique "He has been able to change his ability to play."

What are Dembélé's leadership qualities?

We've talked a lot about Ousmane throughout the year. If I think as a coach, it's incredible to have a player like him. He has been able to change his mentality. We changed his position, he was a typical winger, he has been able to change his ability to play. It's a real pleasure to have him. As a supporter, it's always nice to see a player like Ousmane, who knows how to do everything with and without the ball. He's a different player, it's very positive for us.

Luis Enrique "Football is an incredible sport."

The predictions have you qualified, do you see a trap?

There are 4 matches with this difference for the return, we'll see how many teams qualify. Football is an incredible sport. In the first leg, it was 2-2 after 80 minutes. After that, we dominated at the end. But it was balanced. Tomorrow, we are ready to play. It will be tight, complicated. We are used to this type of match. Our league phase was different from other teams. The difficulty will be there, we must know how to handle it.

Luis Enrique "It's not the spa, it's a Champions League match."

How to avoid being at 90% tomorrow?

It's impossible to have a relaxation in the Champions League, impossible! Chelsea will have the ability to create chances, it's impossible to have a relaxation. It's not the spa, it's a Champions League match. We must take advantage of the moment of suffering to change the dynamic. We want to control the match, but it's impossible. It's always difficult to play this type of match. It's very different from the first leg.

Ligue 1 is labeled as a "farmers League," but PSG has shown it can beat Premier League clubs?

It's a joke I made, it follows me. English clubs are at the top level and we can show our level too. That's what we want to do. We played against many English teams last year and it's happening again. We try to take the upper hand. We show respect for everyone. It's our path.

Luis Enrique "We will do our best, we are eager to play."

How do you guide the team? Was Dembélé's honesty important?

It's always a motivation to lead such matches, with the atmosphere. For us, as a team and reigning champions, it's a great motivation. We try to focus on the important things. And on the details, which are always important against such teams. We will do our best, we are eager to play. We have an advantage, but we know it can disappear very quickly. We are focused.

Last month, a Chelsea executive said you wouldn't be the right choice as a coach? Are you surprised? Would Chelsea be a good club for you?

I have a very important match tomorrow, what you say is not important. I am the coach of PSG and I am happy, that's the most important.

Luis Enrique "I have enough problems on my side."

A reaction to the players' discussion before the match against Newcastle about the referee?

I was surprised. Liam Rosenior spoke about it with maturity. We can see things, as long as there is respect, everything is fine. We focus on ourselves.

A difficult moment for Chelsea? How is Rosenior doing?

I have enough problems on my side (smile). It's time to talk about tomorrow's match and PSG. I respect Liam and hope he achieves a lot of success, but after tomorrow.

Did you talk with João Pedro after the tension of the Club World Cup? Chelsea has physical issues, is this an opportunity for you?

I explained last summer and I have nothing to add. For the second question, I will not talk about Chelsea's issues.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.