PSG raise selection stakes as Luis Enrique turns the screw before Lille test | OneFootball

Luis Enrique is tightening selection at Paris Saint-Germain in his fourth season, as PSG visit Lille on Friday at 20:45 to open Ligue 1’s second round in the first big test of the season.

At Rennes on Sunday, with PSG 2-0 down and blunt in attack, Ousmane Dembélé, the Ballon d’Or holder, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a leading candidate, were both withdrawn at half-time. Afterwards, Luis Enrique said no one has credit, players must prove readiness every day and leave their comfort zone to keep winning.

The choice paid off as Ferran Torres, on at the break, scored twice to help avoid defeat, both goals supplied by Fabian Ruiz, who came on at the hour.

Before that game, plans were set to deepen competition after summer ins and outs in the double European champions’ squad. Some would miss the teamsheet to add options and lift intensity on last season.

In midweek, Dembélé began a rest period and will return to training on Monday, so he misses Lille. Pre-match messaging looked to cool any talk of unrest around the France forward, noting admiration for him and his work to play the UEFA Super Cup and Trophée des Champions soon after his holidays.

There was also emphasis on scheduled recovery, particularly for players with shorter preparation after the World Cup, and on switching off, even as competition for starts stays fierce.

Source: Le Progres

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”