PSG/Paris FC – Luis Enrique on quality, Chevalier, derby, hard work | OneFootball

Sunday, during the 17th day of Ligue 1 2025-2026, Paris Saint-Germain (2nd) will face Paris FC (14th) at Parc des Princes (kick-off at 8:45 PM, broadcast on Ligue1+). On the eve of this match, PSG coach Luis Enrique answered several questions in a press conference.

Luis Enrique "during the start of the season, I am very proud of my players, of the team"

Last season, it was in January that PSG reached its peak level of play. Are you still waiting to take a step forward?

I think every coach always wants the improvement of their team. If I have to analyze what we've done this year, during the start of the season, I am very proud of my players, of the team, of what we've done. I am very optimistic. I hope to have the possibility to play with all the players, to be in physical condition for the second part of the season. Tomorrow, it's an important match. It's a derby, it's special.

Luis Enrique "They have shown personality and character when things are not positive."

How have you managed Lucas Chevalier in recent weeks?

Normally, when you try to manage players individually, there are particular moments. In this case, with Chevalier, I don't have any special talks. I haven't done anything particular because things are very clear to me. We have 3 very high-level goalkeepers, I am very happy and so is the team.

We aim to have players of very high level in all positions. The goalkeepers are there for the team. They have shown personality and character when things are not positive. It's a requirement to be at PSG.

What are your wishes for 2026?

To have health and all the players. Then, when you have these players, these qualities, with the way of playing and training, you can enjoy. It's a real pleasure to have these players. We are happy to meet again and have a match.

Luis Enrique "We are open, the sporting direction and my staff, to seek to further improve the squad."

Is it confirmed that PSG will not be active in the transfer market?

It's the same every time. We are open to possibilities, to players who can improve the squad. But, it's very difficult to find players with the quality to improve the squad. We are open, the sporting direction and my staff, to seek to further improve the squad.

What does it mean to play against the neighbor?

It's beautiful. We are happy, we will play two matches in a short time. It's beautiful for the city and I hope there will be many more in the future. These are special matches. We want a very beautiful match and to overcome the challenges posed. I am happy to play a derby in Paris.

Luis Enrique "We know the quality of Lens and other teams. It motivates us."

Paris is not the autumn champion, have you talked about it or does it not matter?

We have had, with all the context we had, a good first part of the season. But Lens has been better, they have gained many points. We want to improve, we want to continue to win many matches and points.

It will be difficult for all teams, we are aware of that. We know the quality of Lens and other teams. It motivates us. We want to win many matches.

Did the break do good? How are the players?

Very well! It's a real pleasure to see this quality, this desire to play football. I am very happy to be here and to see the players in training.

Luis Enrique "It's very special, because I think there is nothing closer than the two stadiums."

The derby is even more special given the history, have you talked about it with the players?

No, nothing special. We prepare the match in the same way, with the things we consider important. It's difficult to know what they will do. They have changed during the season. And teams often change things against us.

They have quality, it won't be easy. Particularly, because it's a derby, it's a special moment. It's very special, because I think there is nothing closer than the two stadiums. It's beautiful to play it.

PSG will go to Kuwait for the Trophée des Champions, De Zerbi would have preferred it to be in France. What is your opinion?

None. I am very happy to play with PSG everywhere.

Luis Enrique "We have overcome our problems and had a very good start to the season."

Is there a risk of being too focused on the Champions League and forgetting Ligue 1? Especially against a surprise team?

The championship has always been a very clear objective. But it's true that if we analyze the first part of the season, we haven't played with the "typical" PSG team. That's why I am very proud of my players. We have overcome our problems and had a very good start to the season. But it's not enough, as Lens in particular has improved its performances.

Everything is important to us, it's very clear. Last year, we had problems at the start of the Champions League group stage. But I wasn't only looking at the result, also the way of playing. And I think we were sensational, we deserved more points. The ranking would have been different.

At the moment, we are well placed in the Champions League. But there are at least 3 points left to secure the top 8. The championship is important. We need to be efficient and win the points to be champions again. We are open to everything we will play, we need all the players.

Luis Enrique "You talk a lot about fatigue. There is nothing, it's in the head."

During the break, did the players have lighter work than usual? Or was it the opposite? Did you take a break?

I did the same as usual, with the sport that I can. But I am not yet at 100%. For the players, it depends on each one's minutes, the matches. Some had very light work, others were recommended to rest. When I see the players, they enjoy. It's not work, but a different way of living. They are privileged.

How is Barcola? And the group?

Barcola is perfect, the other players too. You talk a lot about fatigue. There is nothing, it's in the head. When we win 5-0, no one is tired. When the result is not good, everyone is tired. That's how it is. It's the progression of a player and a team. We start the second part of the season very positively. We are looking forward to tomorrow's match to meet our supporters again.

Luis Enrique "The team is always ahead of individualities."

Do individualities contribute the most to the collective or is it the opposite?

We have already said a lot, the most important thing is to have top players at the service of the team. And not the opposite. It's our mentality. The team is always ahead of individualities. That's how we work. I think we are one of the teams that represent this very clearly in football.

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