Paris is still not moving forward. After three days of the Champions League and the draw conceded against PSV Eindhoven this Tuesday evening (1-1), the capital club has a low record of four points and is in 17th place. The evening was notably marked by a flagrant lack of efficiency in front of goal. Present at a press conference after the match, Luis Enrique did not say he was concerned by this lack of realism, however, he was more worried when planning the rest of his team’s program.
What feeling prevails after such an evening?
LUIS HENRY. It’s difficult to accept such a result. Football is a sometimes unfair sport. I think we had a really good match. It seems to me that we were better than PSV.
How do you explain your lack of efficiency?
Of course, we had many more chances than PSV. We deserved to win this match. We cannot manage to frame the decisive gesture. As a coach, I try to demand that the game initiative, in attack or defense, be better than the rival. We deserved the victory. Football is fickle. We could have lost this match, too. That’s how this sport works.
“There is a halo of pessimism, but I am calm”
How to remedy this lack?
PSG is undoubtedly one of the attacks in Europe that creates the most chances in the league and the Champions League. This is what I value in my team. From there, luck must be on your side to conclude. But our team has the characteristic of having opportunities. We are going through difficult times. We can improve, that’s our goal, but I have no criticism to make, even if we only scored one goal.
Can the presence of a pure attacker solve this efficiency problem?
As a coach, I do what I consider best for my team. I am sure that all coaches put as starters those they deem appropriate. I would have put the same players back if we replayed the match. There is a halo of pessimism, but I am calm. My team was much better than PSV.
Do you still believe in Kang-In Lee as false number 9?
That’s how football works. It’s a team. We cannot have players who all play their favorite position. When you sign for PSG, no player is going to say that he is going to play in a specific position. I repeat, I am satisfied with the performance of my team. We tried to live up to our fans, we tried to score in the last minute, but it wasn’t the case.
Is PSG under pressure in the Champions League?
We have the toughest group in the competition. You have to be ready to improve. It’s difficult. Yes, I am concerned, indeed.
Did you rewatch the action on Marco Asensio which could have led to a penalty?
I have nothing to say about anything related to refereeing. I don’t comment.
What did you think of Ousmane Dembélé’s match?
I don’t usually talk about a player individually when there isn’t a victory. I accept responsibility for this outcome.
Is the youth of your team detrimental in this competition?
I think differently. Obviously our team is young. But I would have signed with both hands for us to get the same opportunities against OM and Atlético because I ask my team to be sharp.
