PSG returns to Ligue 1 on Saturday evening with a reception of Le Havre (21:05) at the Parc des Princes. This meeting on day 13 of the French Championship is the starting point for a very busy end to the year that awaits the Parisian team with eight games left to play in a month’s time. Present at Friday’s press conference, Luis Enrique showed his confidence even though he said he was “concerned” about the impact of the various individual awards given to his players.
This match against Le Havre opens a series of eight matches that will be played in one month. Is this a series of fixtures you’ve been targeting for a long time and has this been the most challenging period for staff and players?
LUIS ENRIQUE. We will play eight games, start in the Coupe de France, compete in the Intercontinental Cup. We will play one more game than the last two breaks. We will maintain the same idea: improving ourselves. This is our goal.
How are the injured players?
I don’t know. Yesterday, we trained with six players and three goalkeepers. We will practice this afternoon. We have to wait for today’s session to find out which players can play tomorrow.
Can Ousmane Dembele return against Le Havre?
I don’t know, I’m not a doctor. His condition is improving, I think today he will start a session or do some. In this case, you must be careful. I’ll see how he feels during practice. In the coming weeks we will see Ousmane Dembele on the pitch.
Marquinhos could play his 500th match against Le Havre. What does this note represent?
If a player can play 499 games he has to accept criticism, that’s part of top football. His professional qualities as a defender and ball control are top notch. We have to talk to him to find out how he feels and to know how to manage the eight games we have to play.
Is your midfielder enjoying his best period for club and country?
I don’t know, I’m not interested in this debate. I first want to improve the squad. There are many midfielders who can play and do well like Senny, Warren, Lee, Doué, Ndjantou… It is not positive that the cases are individual.
“For now, victory is enough”
Is this a good time to get some margin back in the game?
For now, victory is enough. I hope we have all the players to train and show our football. We are confident in our level but we have to have the players!
Where would you place João Neves in the world hierarchy?
If I had to classify Joao, the next question is where I place Warren, Fabian and then his coach is problematic! I’m happy to have this team, but I’m a little worried about the noise I hear around the team and the individual awards given to the players, even though football is a team sport. You have to be ready to work as a team, price doesn’t interest me. It’s a different season because there are a lot of confessions, but I’m worried because I don’t want to talk about the past, but about the future. Cheaper prices and higher concentration, that’s what we want.
You watched some games from the stands and you said you were inspired by rugby on this. What is the inspiration for this sport for you?
It’s a sport I don’t know about but I love it. I like the way they manage the emotions and energy that I see on the pitch. The first time I saw training at altitude was in Vigo, at Celta. Once I can see the game from the stands, that’s important. But nothing special. I just want to do whatever I can to improve my performance.”
