Liverpool/PSG – Luis Enrique hammers home risks and aims | OneFootball

Tuesday, in the second leg of the 2025-2026 Champions League quarter-finals (2-0 in the first leg), Paris Saint-Germain will face Liverpool at Anfield (kick-off at 9pm, live on Canal+). On the eve of this match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered several questions at a press conference.

Luis Enrique: “There will be difficult moments.”

When you won 2-0 in the first leg, are there mistakes you must not make?

Yes, that was only the first match and now we have to play the second. It’s clear that this game will be difficult. When you play in this competition, away from home, against a team of Liverpool’s level, with this 2-0 scoreline, it will be difficult. That’s clear to us. There will be difficult moments.

Will the first 15-20 minutes weigh heavily on the match? Do you need to stress that to the players?

Normally, how you start the match may be very important, but in today’s football the result can change in 5 minutes. You can see different matches like that. You can score or concede. It’s important to start the match the way we need to, but that’s not the key.

Luis Enrique: “If you think about scoring rather than defending, that is the key for me.”

Is it easier to be the hunter or the hunted in this type of match?

That’s the difficulty of this match! For me, it’s a trap game. We won, everyone says we were superior, maybe that’s true, but football changes quickly. You have to stay alert, you have to be ready. You can concede a goal and the match is still open. We have to prepare as always, with our mentality of trying to win. If you think about scoring rather than defending, that is the key for me. What I tell my team is to know that we are going to have difficulties.

There were difficulties against Aston Villa last year — are you also worried about the atmosphere tomorrow?

It’s clear that it’s easier and more enjoyable at home. When there is a connection with the supporters, it’s better and you are stronger. That’s what we are trying to prevent for Liverpool. We know how difficult it is at Anfield. It is also a motivation for us, to try to overcome their pressure. That is the objective. It’s a trap game. You will see tomorrow that it will be a very tight match.

Luis Enrique: “Journalists know nothing about the medical room.”

Does Ruiz have a fractured kneecap? Has that been the diagnosis from the start?

We have to see what the doctor says. Journalists know nothing about the medical room. I’m not a doctor. Medical information belongs to the players and it is important to respect each person’s health. The good news is that Fabian is recovering and training with the team. That is very good news.

Is PSG stronger this season than last year?

It’s very difficult to judge that. It brings me nothing. What matters is that we have shown our ability to overcome difficulties. That does not mean we always will, but it shows that we are ready to raise our level. We always prepare with the same mentality, the same one we had when we had lost the first leg. We are trying to win the second match — that is the key for us.

Luis Enrique: “We like possession, but also space and counterattacks.”

Is he ready to play a full match? How will it work for him?

We have to see in training. But every time a player comes back, it’s very good news. He was out for 3 weeks, so now we have to see how he feels today. It’s important to get players back. Only Ruiz and Ndjantou are still absent.

Arne Slot said he wants to have the ball in this match — how do you stop that?

I don’t know (smile). It will be difficult. If you analyse last year’s matches, it was similar in the first leg. And the second leg was very different. It’s difficult to have control when they press all the time. There will be space to use. It will be a different match. We like possession, but also space and counterattacks. We will adapt to the situation — that is one of our weapons.

Luis Enrique: “I’m sure we will be ready and I’m sure we will suffer.”

It’s only 2-0 — is that an advantage in coaching terms compared to a bigger win?

As a coach, you always want to balance the points you think are important. It’s a small win from the first match, but you have to be ready to overcome every difficult moment. There will be some, and that will be the key. All the players are motivated. Finding the perfect motivation is the key. We have experience in this type of match. I’m sure we will be ready and I’m sure we will suffer.

Why did you go to see the Kop at Anfield after your career ended, why?

I wanted to go as a supporter and it was at one of the best stadiums in the world. Luis Garcia was playing here and got me tickets. It was very special, very different from being a player. I really enjoyed it.

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