2023-10-07 14:47:30
It was a very offensive Luis Enrique who presented himself at a press conference this Saturday at the Poissy Campus. Three days after the heavy defeat at Newcastle (4-1) in the Champions League, the Parisian coach maintained the same analysis that he had made on the spot, namely that the score did not reflect the nature of the match. He is now waiting for a rebound this Sunday in Rennes. An opponent who has not been very successful for the Parisians in recent seasons.
What is the morale of the troops since the defeat at Newcastle (4-1) and have you worked on the mental aspect with your team?
LUIS ENRIQUE. We reviewed the errors and the situations that we can improve. Wednesday’s result does not reflect the scenario of the match at all. It is obvious that we made mistakes which cost us goals but the score is heavy. In my career, I lost a few times by a big margin but when that happened, it was because the team opposite was stronger. There, that was not the case. I’m not here to say what people want to hear. I liked the attitude, the personality of my team. Newcastle’s victory is deserved, yes, there are areas for improvement but the result does not correspond to what we saw on the pitch.
So you still think that playing four was the right solution?
Do you know how many years I have been coaching at a very high level? A lot ! When there are mistakes, it’s everyone’s fault, sometimes the players, sometimes the coach. My job is to look for the best way to play for PSG, not an attractive game, but a game that brings results. We all make mistakes, I have full confidence in what I see from the players and the staff. I am very convinced that this will succeed so that we return home on Sunday evening very happy.
What is Ousmane Dembélé missing to be more decisive and, finally, score a goal?
This data is not accurate! Do you remember the decisive pass for Gonçalo Ramos against Marseille? The problem with you, journalists, everywhere, not just in France, is that you want it to be all black or all white. But it’s not like that, there are sometimes gray areas. I am very happy with what Ousmane Dembélé is doing for the team, his statistics will improve. I’m not concerned and I don’t believe in putting pressure on the players. The coach is there for that. When you lose with four attackers, it’s the coach’s fault and when you win, no. I know the rules of the game. My goal is to play with 11 attackers and 11 defenders on the field. And I think we’re on the right path to getting there.
Do you have in mind using Dembélé as number 10?
To play as number 10, we would have to change the system. Depending on the position of the ball, we position ourselves differently too. He plays on the side with us, he can also play more inside. He’s an ideal player for my philosophy, he played well at Newcastle. It’s obvious that he could have more goals and assists but I’m very happy with what he brings.
Does what we see at the moment correspond to the way you want the team to play, or is it adapted to your squad?
Both make sense. I have a lot of experience to know that as a coach I must optimize with the players at my disposal. We have to manage, dominate matches, obtain trophies, it’s an ambitious goal. If we succeed, we will do wonders and if we don’t succeed I will be the culprit of everything. Don’t worry, I know the rules.
Are any adjustments planned in your starting lineup in Rennes?
We still do it. Our idea is to be superior to the opponent, to have the ball more than them. We will also have to take into account all the parameters. We are a staff that likes to give information to the players, we continue to work with the same idea.
What type of match are you expecting?
Rennes is among the best teams in the championship. Historically it’s a team that we have difficulties against, especially when we go there. They are a team that can drop back in defense, they can also press us. They don’t give the ball away so easily, we will have to defend well, press them well. These are players who have very high-level individual qualities. They blew things up on Thursday (Editor’s note: in Villarreal), it’s an interesting match once again.
Is Kylia Mbappé at the level you currently expect him to be?
I remember that two or three weeks ago, in this same room, one of your colleagues spoke to me about Kylian addiction. And now you’re asking what Kylian should do because he hasn’t scored in 3 games. All season long, the players go through different states, he’s not Superman when he scores goals, and he’s not everyone when he doesn’t score. The objective for us is to enhance its strengths and not see its faults.
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