Toulouse v PSG: Luis Enrique on Champions League, Zaïre-Emery, squad | OneFootball

Saturday, during the 3rd day of Ligue 1 2025-2026, Paris Saint-Germain (3rd) will face Toulouse (2nd) at the Stadium (kick-off at 9:05 PM, broadcast on Ligue1+). On the eve of this match, the Parisian coach Luis Enrique answered several questions in a press conference.

Luis Enrique "If I see that it's the same, maybe the computer button isn't working."

Last year, you complained about a very difficult draw in the Champions League. What is your opinion this time?

What is your opinion? It's the same, difficult. In my opinion, to really analyze it, I have to wait until next year. If I see that it's the same, maybe the computer button isn't working (laughs).

This new competition format is nice for some teams, but the 36 teams have very different schedules, and it's an important condition to be among the top 8. With our schedule, it will be difficult, it's normal to lose points. There is a high level among our opponents.

Is the goal to be in the top 8?

I don't know the goal. But with this schedule, last year we played a very good Champions League in terms of play, but when you play against Bayern Munich or FC Barcelona, you can lose points. There is no "easy" match in our schedule.

We took some of the best teams in almost all the pots, except the 2nd. I think it's difficult to win every match to be in the top 8. We can do it, of course. But it will be very difficult. It's the competition, we have to accept this draw.

Luis Enrique "He must continue like this, he's an example of what a PSG player should be."

Warren Zaïre-Emery is not called up to the French Team, how do you keep him under pressure when he's no longer a starter? Does he need to be re-motivated?

When you have a player like Zaïre-Emery, it's a real pleasure. He is an incredible player, with top behavior and level, very top. He must continue doing what he's doing, seeking to play more. He has the quality. He was, he is, and he will be a very important player.

During a player's career, it's normal to have ups and downs. You can be at a high level and play a bit less. He must continue like this, he's an example of what a PSG player should be.

Luis Enrique "I hope, because it's the best for him, that we can find a solution."

How are things with Donnarumma? Can he stay?

I don't know. It depends on the transfer market, the player, the agent, the other clubs. I hope, because it's the best for him, that we can find a solution.

Bayern and Barça in the Champions League, what feeling?

It's positive and negative. It's nice to return to Barcelona, my home, and it's very beautiful football. But at the same time, if I have to speak from my heart, with the suffering of playing against the club that helped me the most. I'm not happy about this match. It's complicated.

Luis Enrique "The goal is to win the Champions League."

Angers and Nantes played very low. Is there a difference compared to last year? Do teams fear you even more?

Maybe...but I remember last year having the same feeling. Especially against teams in the middle zone of the standings. It's normal, we are used to it. It's the most difficult phase of play, there is little space, no time to finish. But we must be ready for all types of matches.

Which team should we particularly watch out for in the Champions League?

No team, and all teams. We will play 8 matches, 4 at home and 4 away. In the end, we need to have the points to qualify. I have no intention of thinking about a single team. It's not the competition. The real competition starts in the knockout rounds, the goal is to be there. I don't know if it will be by the long or short path. The goal is to win the Champions League. If it were easy, everyone would do it. We know it's difficult.

How is Kvaratshkelia?

Perfect, like me, perfect (smile).

Luis Enrique "It's not a model to always think about signing 4-5 players."

Having a tough draw in the Champions League also allows better preparation for the future?

Maybe. There are always positive and negative points. It's usual for us to have such a draw. We have to accept it. But I think with more time, we can better see if it's positive or negative. In any case, it's different. It's a particular concept, with 36 different schedules. I hope to talk about it again next year.

Few recruits, because you rely on the training center?

Of course. It's not a model to always think about signing 4-5 players. We must trust the young ones who have been recruited and those from the training center. Maybe they are not regular, but we have to manage it to face a season.

Each year is different and presents new situations. We are happy with the squad we have. We always want to improve it, we think about changes. But it's important to value our players.

Luis Enrique "he's an important player. We trust him."

Are you satisfied with Mbaye's progress?

I am very satisfied to have him, I have seen his improvement. In U19, as with us. He trains with us every day. He is one of the players for whom we have great expectations. He needs time. We are happy with his qualities and he's an important player. We trust him.

A word on Toulouse? What match do you expect?

It's always the same, especially away. It will be complicated, it's never easy away. But we think about managing under high pressure, but especially against a low block. They are in a very good moment, with two victories. Carles Marinez is a high-level coach, he seeks to play very good football. We are ready for the difficulties. We need to win, we want to continue on our path.

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