PSG v Slovan Bratislava: Luis Enrique on the Champions League | OneFootball

On Wednesday, during the 1st matchday of the 2026-2027 Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain will face Slovan Bratislava at the Parc des Princes (kick-off at 9 p.m., live broadcast on Canal+). On the eve of this match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered several questions at a press conference.

Luis Enrique: “It will look like an easy match, but there are no easy matches in the Champions League.”

How confident is the squad? Has the team been affected by the results?

If we only talk about results, it’s been a catastrophic start to the season. But as a coach, we try to value everything that happens on the pitch. Clearly, there are things to improve, but we deserve more points. But that’s football, we accept it. We are working to improve our performances.

Will PSG always have an edge over the European competition?

It’s the biggest and toughest competition to play in. It comes down to small differences. How many teams do you think can win it? 6, 8, 5? The differences are very small. We want to get off to a very good start. We know how difficult it is. It will look like an easy match, but there are no easy matches in the Champions League. You have to be ready to win.

Luis Enrique: “We negotiated discreetly, and that’s how it will continue to be.”

Are you hoping for contract extensions for Kvaratskhelia and Dembélé?

That depends. It’s impossible to keep every player. It’s normal for players and coaches to leave and arrive. But I’m confident. We have the best president and the best sporting director to see what the team needs. We’ve had contract extensions, we negotiated discreetly, and that’s how it will continue to be.

What is your assessment of your defensive analysis? What was the focus of the video work?

I’m not going to talk about that. But we have to show the players where there is room for improvement. We weren’t lucky when there were shots, and there were some very fine goals. At the end of the season, there will be a balance in terms of what we deserved. But we have to improve, and we showed that to the players. Football is not a fair sport. We need to improve our efficiency, but also our concentration.

Luis Enrique: “The objective is always the same, but it will be very difficult.”

Does the real competition start in February? Is there no pressure in the league phase?

No, I always put pressure on the team and the players. I want to be in the top 8 and avoid the playoffs. But with our draw, it’s very difficult. There will be tough matches, we’re going to drop points. It will be difficult to qualify, even in the top 24. It’s one of the toughest draws, we’re used to it. We try to see the positive side. The objective is always the same, but it will be very difficult.

Yaya Touré, what’s your view of his move into coaching? Can his playing past help him?

We were at Barça at the same time, he was a first-team player and I was the coach of the B team. I remember his top-level quality as a player. He has had experience as an assistant, and now it’s his first time as a head coach. From the analysis, I’ve seen that he likes to have the ball, close to what he experienced at Barça and at Manchester City. We’ll see tomorrow whether he repeats the same strategy, or whether he decides to be more defensive. We’ll see tomorrow. It will be something to manage during the match.

Luis Enrique: “We have to get out of our comfort zone.”

Do you have to be even more demanding with your squad this season?

I’m sure of that. Since day one, I’ve wanted to get the same message across. I don’t want to think about the past. You have to rewrite the roadmap every year. Everyone is motivated against us, we have to accept that. That means we have to get out of our comfort zone. I’m ready to pursue that, to reinvent ourselves every day.

Is there an advantage in starting against a more beatable opponent?

All away matches are difficult; at home there can be factors in your favor. But from our experience at the start of this season, it’s very easy for a match to become more complicated. We will have to be ready to press as much as possible, to play with maximum intensity. We have to be ready to win. Maybe we are the favorites, but we have to show it on the pitch.

Luis Enrique: “Playing against PSG is even more motivating for them.”

What is harder, the 1st or the 3rd Champions League campaign?

That depends on each player. I can’t say. You like that kind of question, but I try to live in the present moment. It’s special, you always feel the motivation. But playing against PSG is even more motivating for them.

Is it difficult for new signings to adapt to PSG’s demands? Do you have any concerns?

With the players who have arrived, we are particularly attentive. We want to give them information. The adaptation period depends on many things. It’s easier for new signings when they see the behaviors within the team. After that, we try to give them the information they need to adapt as quickly as possible. But it depends on each player.

Luis Enrique: “What motivates players the most is being in the starting lineup.”

What is your method for keeping players motivated?

There isn’t one method for that, or one phrase to motivate players. It depends on the moment. But what motivates them the most is being in the starting lineup. Normally, when you have this type of player, you have players who know they play almost all the time, and you have to look for another source of motivation. But it depends on each player.

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