Lille/PSG – Luis Enrique tells all: Dembélé, project, squad and team | OneFootball

On Friday, during the 2nd matchday of Ligue 1 2026-2027, Paris Saint-Germain (8th) will face Lille (3rd) at the Stade Pierre Mauroy (kick-off at 8:45pm, live broadcast on Ligue1+). On the eve of this match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered several questions at a press conference.

Luis Enrique: “A lot of things are still missing. But it’s the same for the other teams.”

What is PSG missing at the start of this season? Last year, you talked about the feeling with the ball.

I remember that phrase, but that was after just a few training sessions. It’s difficult, even though we’ve had more time. We have the technical level. Clearly, a lot of things are still missing. But it’s the same for the other teams, nothing worrying.

Luis Enrique: “There’s nothing to it. I’m a big admirer of Ousmane Dembélé.”

Why is Dembélé resting? Do you have to accept letting players rest?

It’s nothing new, don’t you remember past seasons? It has already been the case with Ousmane, Achraf, Kylian... There’s nothing to it. I’m a big admirer of Ousmane Dembélé. He is an essential player for us, a top-level player. He made a big effort this summer to be with us in the finals at the start of the season. He was, he is, and he will be an essential player for us. He made a good decision this season. We may have to do the same with other players during the season.

I’m convinced we’re on the right path. I know that with every difficult decision, there is noise around PSG. If a player hasn’t played well or there are better options, you have to accept it. The players are used to the way I manage this.

Luis Enrique: “He’s a real leader, nothing changes. That’s how we manage things.”

Is Barcola on his way out? What assessment do you make of him?

He is still a PSG player.

Are we going to see more and more rotation and tougher competition?

It should be pointed out that I am always open to giving players rest, to disconnect. It’s very important and it has happened before. Ousmane made this really great effort, now is the time to give him this little break. I’m a very big admirer of Ousmane Dembélé, he’s a different kind of player. I trust him. He’s a real leader, nothing changes. That’s how we manage things.

A word on Davide Ancelotti, the Lille coach?

Everyone knows him. He has been very important in recent years with Carlo Ancelotti. I pay attention, I like the way he is on the bench, the way he gives his opinion to his father. From what I’ve seen of him, from the way he managed things at Real Madrid, it’s very intelligent. He’s a very good coach and he has the opportunity to show it at Lille. It will be exciting to face him. I can’t wait to play this match, well actually I’m not playing (smile).

Luis Enrique: “I have never coached this long at one club, but I have the same desire as on day one.”

Has the level of expectation risen for you with the trophies?

Whether we win trophies or not, it matters, but what makes me proudest is what we represent, the way we want to play. After that, anything can happen. But the way we play, the way we handle defeat or victory, that’s more important. That is our identity.

This is my 4th year here, that’s a record for me. I have never coached this long at one club, but I have the same desire as on day one. I feel the trust of the management and the supporters. It’s a very beautiful journey and I hope it lasts a long time still.

Why follow the draw on the bike? Is it superstition?

Of course not (laughs). Superstition is more Italy or Argentina (laughs). I’m joking, I can’t say anything bad. But I’ll be relaxed, we’ll see when I get home and we’ll see the menu. I’d sign up for the results of the last two years.

Luis Enrique: “to win several major trophies, I need 23 players, not 11.”

Do you encourage him to become more of a regular starter here?

You like to label players as starters or substitutes. But to win trophies, you need a team. We’ve won a lot because we’ve had players like Gonçalo Ramos or Lee Kang-In, Barcola too. They have been very important.

You win nothing with 11 players. I’m very open. If you show that you are better, there is no problem. We try to find the players we think are the best. That’s for one match. But to win several major trophies, I need 23 players, not 11.

Luis Enrique: “it’s a way of showing that it takes the effort of all the players for success.”

Are set pieces a real weapon?

You know everything is going well when you come here without a question about set pieces. Here it comes again (smile). It’s very positive, because we are one of the best teams in Europe both defensively and offensively on set pieces.

In our league, last season, we were clearly the best in both areas. We spoke about it this week with the team. You always have to stay alert. The staff, especially Rafel Pol, have done an incredible job.

Can the player who makes the pass before the assist be rewarded like the assister and the goalscorer?

It’s a team. If someone is missing, it doesn’t work. You need everyone. The hardest thing is finishing the move. But a lot has to happen before that. For the past 2 years, we have valued the assist much more, it’s a way of showing that it takes the effort of all the players for success.

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