Strasbourg v PSG: Luis Enrique on keepers, Dro Fernandez, Lens, Vitinha | OneFootball

Sunday, during the 20th day of Ligue 1 2025-2026, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) will face Strasbourg (7th) at Stade de la Meinau (kick-off at 8:45 PM, broadcast on Ligue1+). On the eve of this match, Parisian coach Luis Enrique answered several questions at a press conference.

Luis Enrique “We have to adapt.”

A rotation of goalkeepers or is Safonov the number 1?

What I can say about this is that I am happy to have 3 goalkeepers like I have. I like competition in all positions. It's modern football, there are always things you can change. I am open to everything. Again, I am very happy to have 3 goalkeepers at this level.

Have you noticed a deficit in high-intensity runs? How to change it?

No deficit. You always want answers and solutions, but there is nothing. There are many factors that affect a sporting situation. Managing that is not easy, but it is our job. It's the same fluidity or freshness when we win. I have said it many times, like other coaches, it's a very particular season. The context has been different. We have to adapt.

Luis Enrique “We have confidence in the future with this player. But, we must be calm.”

Can Dro Fernandez start? What will he bring?

I must add, there is a difficulty in finding players who have the quality to be in the team. Dro has this quality. We have confidence in the future with this player. But, we must be calm, he just arrived. We have the tranquility to see the adaptation and the level. It is important to have confidence for a young player. But, it must be given at the right time. I don't know when that moment is.

Is Lens putting pressure on you for the title? Are they the number 1 competitor?

Clearly, the standings show it. There is Lens, and there is us. Do you know how many fewer points we have compared to last year? You are mistaken, you haven't studied. I won't tell you. That's why I would like to add that we are more or less on the same line, but what has changed is Lens. They are different.

The rest is as usual, with our ability to win. I like the pressure. If they want to put it on, I like that. We are used to it, we have to show tomorrow that we like this pressure.

Luis Enrique “It is important to have the load of minutes.”

A big rotation tomorrow again and for the future? Or will it be tighter?

It depends, always. It depends on the circumstances, the minutes, each player. Some cannot play every 3 days because there is a clear risk of injury. We try to judge that from the perspective of having the players in the best conditions. We will have fewer matches now, even if we add the playoffs. It's not negative. It is important to have the load of minutes. We will do what we think is best for the team. But each player is different.

Are you happy to have Monaco in the playoffs?

Very happy (laughs). It's clear, isn't it? Very happy! Can I change the playoff? I am very happy.

Luis Enrique “It must be a motivation for the team.”

A difficult trip to Strasbourg, especially thinking about the first leg (3-3). Is it a trap game?

Playing away is always difficult. Strasbourg is a very young team, but with a lot of individual quality. They have changed coaches, but they know very well how to play football. I remember the draw at Parc des Princes. I think this month is complicated.

We will play against Strasbourg, against Monaco, against Marseille, it's a reflection to know that we are a very good team. For me, the best in the championship. But we have to show it. It must be a motivation for the team.

A déjà vu feeling with the draw? Is it better than going to Azerbaijan?

If we have to make a comparison, I think all teams should have the same schedule. I know it's not possible. But, to make a fair comparison, all teams must have the same schedule.

Luis Enrique “I would like to give him rest.”

Vitinha plays a lot this season, is it a problem for you?

Clearly. It's a bit like your colleague's question. It depends on each player. Vitinha is very strong, but I would like him to have rest. The schedule, the physical condition, the mental condition, the personal situation... Vitinha is very important for us. Of course, he will play tomorrow. I would like to give him rest. But each case must be managed individually.

Lee Kang-In has somewhat disappeared from the radar, he is back in the group. What about his evolution? Can he play tomorrow?

Lee has been important. He arrived the same year as me. I think he has been important in every season. He lacked a bit of regularity to be very important. But he had moments where he showed he has the technical and physical level. He missed the little chance of regularity, like with his last injury. He was a starter in the final against Flamengo and got injured. We have confidence in Lee Kang-In, he is a player with a lot of quality.

Luis Enrique “The way of facing the match is top.”

Could you play long for important matches, putting the philosophy aside?

It happens in every match. The best thing we have is that we can attack with space and we like to do it. When the opponent presses us, we play in space. It's a low block, we have the capacity. What we like is to control and dominate the match.

We can talk about the result, which we don't deserve when we miss a lot of chances, but our ability to dominate every match is incredible. I love the way we face each match, whether at home or away. I get annoyed with the result when it doesn't represent what we did. But the way of facing the match is top.

Attacking with space is simpler, with our players, Ousmane, Doué, Kvara, Barcola. But the opponent often prefers to play in a low block. We are used to it. We like to control the match, after that it depends on where the opponent wants to defend.

Luis Enrique “The line that separates victory from defeat is very thin.”

The opponent always feels they can take points, whereas last year they felt they would lose before playing. Is that the only thing to change?

Yes, but I want to reflect. I understand that you think we have to win every match 3 or 4-0, as we did for a while. Except that it's not normal, it's stratospheric. The higher the expectations, the harder it is. There is frustration. We want to make history and it's not easy. I feel that when it's not brilliant, it's not good for you.

All our Champions League matches have been very high level. The championship too. The line that separates victory from defeat is very thin. I am optimistic, but there are unfair things. We want to be brilliant, but it's impossible. We can't always win 4 or 5 to 0. We have many chances, but it's impossible. We want to continue making history.

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