Lille/PSG – Davide Ancelotti on Luis Enrique and a special game | OneFootball

This Friday at 8:45pm (broadcast on Ligue1+), Paris Saint-Germain face Lille at the Stade Pierre Mauroy as part of the 2nd matchday of Ligue 1 2026-2027. In a press conference, Lille coach Davide Ancelotti spoke about this match and the Parisian opponent.

Ancelotti: “It’s a club that remains part of my history, and I have good memories.”

Will Matias Fernandez-Pardo play?

We made the decision not to have him train with the group until the end of the transfer window, until his situation is resolved. It’s a transfer-window matter, a club matter. I’m focused on the players available tomorrow.

Can Bayo play?

He has had an exemplary attitude. He came back with some fitness issues, and he handled them well with his attitude. He is very positive within the group, he trains well. He is available, then it’s my decision.

You know PSG well, you were a fitness coach there 15 years ago. What do you remember from that time?

It was a very positive experience, I learned a lot. I didn’t speak French, I started with the youth teams and I understood nothing. It wasn’t the PSG of today, it was the beginning of the project. There were a lot of things to do. I kept in touch with many players and coach Laurent Bonadéi. I don’t know if I’ll meet anyone who was there, but maybe. It’s a club that remains part of my history, and I have good memories.

Ancelotti: “It’s a wonderful opportunity.”

Can Nianzou and Bakwa play?

Bakwa started training with us yesterday, but he arrives in good condition because he was able to train with his former club. He brings experience and he is available for tomorrow. Tanguy too, he has returned to the group.

Is it a gift to face PSG for the first home game?

It’s always a gift, and not a gift. It’s a wonderful opportunity to play the first home match against a team like that. We see it as something great to experience together. We know it’s very complicated, that we will have to do things very well, but we want to show our values on the pitch. With the help of the supporters. We’ll need solidarity, to stay humble, and to work hard.

Ancelotti: “We have to keep our identity, but also adapt.”

It’s also your first time in this stadium, how are you experiencing it? Do you need to play it down?

We prepared for the match with a lot of calm, with a lot of necessary detail. We have to keep our identity, but also adapt. I’m quite calm, but there’s also excitement. Last week was also very emotional. But I don’t want to play the match before it starts. I also see the players are focused. I’m happy for now, we’ll see afterward (smile).

Are Mukau and Bentaleb equipped for a match like this?

I have a lot of confidence in all our players. They are ready to fight in this kind of match. Mukau hasn’t always played in this position, he has also done well out wide. He has a lot of energy, he gives a lot for the team. Effective playing time is increasing. You need energetic players. We also need the substitutes. That was the case last year and it won’t change. Even more so with little recovery time between matches.

Ancelotti: “It’s the most important quality for a coach, to see the human being behind it.”

A word on Luis Enrique, who has won a lot at PSG?

I admire him a lot. He has given a lot to football. Not just to PSG. What he has built is admirable. He has also helped French football with his work. For a young coach like me, he is admirable. I watch him a lot, I learn a lot from him. He is authentic in his communication. It’s the most important quality for a coach, to see the human being behind it.

Is this the right time to face Paris, to put them under even more pressure?

No, the match comes when it comes. We have to be ready, without worrying about the opponent. It will always be complicated. We have to play our match, with our ideas, adapt without losing our identity. How Paris arrive is not our problem. We must not lose our composure, our calm, and we have to give everything.

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