Chelsea v PSG – Luis Enrique: We’ll have to dig deep at times | OneFootball

Tuesday, during the second leg of the Round of 16 (PSG won 5-2 in the first leg) of the 2025-2026 Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain will face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (kick-off at 9pm, broadcast on Canal+). On the eve of this match, Paris coach Luis Enrique answered several questions in a press conference.

Luis Enrique: “We’re used to playing this type of match. We’re focused on performing at our best.”

Ousmane just said that Paris shouldn’t change their mentality. What do you think is the best solution?

It’s clear that we’ve only played the first match. There’s still the second. The second leg is always different, return matches are different. One team is eliminated for now and is preparing to change that. So, it’s different and very complicated. We’re used to playing this type of match. We’re focused on performing at our best.

Luis Enrique: “We’re capable of playing against any top-level team.”

Has the team regained its confidence?

Confidence is a special thing. What I can say is that we can be better or worse in the match, but what we’ve shown in every game is that we’re a real team, very difficult to play against. We’re capable of playing against any top-level team.

Dembélé mentioned the match at Aston Villa, did you mention it too?

It was a clear example of what a football match can become. We prepared with the intention to win, to score. But there will be difficult moments, you have to know how to control them. The goal is to win. But there will be moments of suffering.

Luis Enrique: “He was able to change his ability to play.”

What are Dembélé’s leadership qualities?

We’ve talked a lot about Ousmane this year. As a coach, it’s incredible to have a player like him. He’s been able to change his mentality. We changed his position, he used to be a typical winger, but he was able to change his ability to play. It’s a real pleasure to have him. As a supporter, it’s always nice to see a player like Ousmane, who can do everything with and without the ball. He’s a different player, it’s very positive for us.

Luis Enrique: “Football is an incredible sport.”

The predictions have you qualifying, do you see a trap?

There are four matches with this kind of difference for the return leg, we’ll see how many teams qualify. Football is an incredible sport. In the first leg, it was 2-2 after 80 minutes. After that, we dominated at the end. But it was balanced. Tomorrow, we’re ready to play. It will be tight, complicated. We’re used to this type of match. Our group stage was different from other teams. The difficulty will be there, we have to know how to handle it.

Luis Enrique: “It’s not a spa, it’s a Champions League match.”

How do you avoid being at 90% tomorrow?

It’s impossible to be complacent in the Champions League, impossible! Chelsea will have the ability to create chances, it’s impossible to be complacent. It’s not a spa, it’s a Champions League match. You have to take advantage of the moments of suffering to change the momentum. We want to control the match, but it’s impossible. It’s always difficult to play this type of match. It’s very different from the first leg.

Ligue 1 is called a “farmers League”, but PSG has shown it can beat Premier League clubs?

That was a joke I made, and it follows me. English clubs are at the top level and we can show our level too. That’s what we want to do. We played against many English teams last year and it’s happening again. We’re trying to get the upper hand. We show respect for everyone. That’s our path.

Luis Enrique: “We’ll do our best, we’re eager to play.”

How do you guide the team? Was Dembélé’s honesty important?

It’s always motivating to lead these kinds of matches, with the atmosphere. For us, as a team and as reigning champions, it’s a great motivation. We try to focus on the important things. And on the details, which are always important against such teams. We’ll do our best, we’re eager to play. We have an advantage, but we know it can disappear very quickly. We’re focused.

Last month, a Chelsea executive said you wouldn’t be the right choice as coach? Are you surprised? Would Chelsea be a good club for you?

I have a very important match tomorrow, what you’re saying isn’t important. I’m the PSG coach and I’m happy, that’s the most important thing.

Luis Enrique: “I have enough problems on my side.”

A reaction to the players’ discussion before the Newcastle match about the referee?

I was surprised. Liam Rosenior spoke about it with maturity. We can see things, as long as there’s respect everything is fine. We’re focusing on ourselves.

A difficult moment for Chelsea? How is Rosenior handling it?

I have enough problems on my side (smile). This is the time to talk about tomorrow’s match and PSG. I respect Liam and I hope he achieves a lot of success, but after tomorrow.

Did you speak with João Pedro after the tension at the Club World Cup? Chelsea has physical issues, is that an opportunity for you?

I explained last summer and I have nothing to add. For the second question, I won’t talk about Chelsea’s issues.

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