2024-03-30 13:40:10
In a context where PSG is twelve points ahead of its runner-up Brest, the question everyone is asking before the trip to Marseille is whether Kylian Mbappé will be on the Parisian bench at kick-off. And, by extension, if the Coupe de France semi-final against Rennes, which arrives next Wednesday, is not the most important match of the week.
Obviously, the Spanish coach did not answer this question directly but admitted to being aware of what the match against Marseille represents for his club and its supporters. In his words, he will field the team he considers to be the best.
In your eyes, what is the most important match between Marseille and Rennes in the Coupe de France semi-final? You can’t answer both…
LUIS ENRIQUE. This is a question with conditions, what do you want me to say? The only match that exists is that of Marseille.
Is it possible to do without Kylian Mbappé in Marseille?
Everything is possible in life. What I am aware of is the importance of the clasico for our supporters, for the club and this historic rivalry. My desire is that everything goes well, that there is a spectacle and that we see a very good football match between two very good teams. Our goal is to win this match against our eternal rival. But as manager of my team and within the club, I have to see this match very clearly but also have a general vision of what is best for us, that’s my job. I have to make a decision and I will do it thinking about what I consider to be best for the team. This means that there are people who do not agree as always but, of course, we are going to go to Marseille to be competitive and give great joy to our supporters.
Is rotating as a goalkeeper a possibility for this match in Marseille?
Anything is possible, you know me now. Your job as a professional is to be ready at all times. This is our goal, our obligation. Maybe for the most important game of the year, some won’t play, but everyone has to be ready.
“When I see the pace of training on Friday, I like it a lot”
Can you give an update on your group?
For Barcola, I can’t talk about duration of unavailability, it’s private, personal. I think the players are almost all there. And almost in playing condition. We need to see what the ideal timing is for the returns because we are playing for the titles of the season. We are choosing what is best for the team. We have to win everything so the team comes before personal interest. But when I see the rhythm of training on Friday, I like it a lot (…) I believe that to be able to analyze our physical condition, we have to take the cycles of the season. I have total guarantees of having a team with the best performance.
Should we rethink the calendar, especially in March with this truce?
It’s a theme that all coaches and selectors agree on. I’m not going to be hypocritical, the schedule is very intense. Health is very important for players, injuries are part of the job, travel is also part of the job. It’s sometimes difficult to take it all in. This is a theme that must be controlled because the more rested the players are, the more it is possible to offer the best show.
Are you going to release your players for the Olympics?
I don’t own the players, the players have a contract with the club. It’s obvious that having won the Olympics once in my country, in Barcelona, it would be strange on my part (to prevent a player from participating). What is certain is that we must study each case individually, it is difficult to string together the Euro and the Olympic Games, it would perhaps not make much sense because the players have responsibilities towards their club but I think each case must be treated individually. There is also the freedom of the player which comes into account, I am quite open but we must protect the rights of the club and I am here to defend the rights of my club.
#OMPSG #aware #importance #clasico #admits #Luis #Enrique