An already crucial match for Paris? After a victory at the buzzer against Girona (1-0) and a defeat at Arsenal (0-2), Luis Enrique‘s men host PSV Eindhoven, this Tuesday at 9 p.m. at the Parc des Princes, with the ambition of pocketing a second important success in the competition. It will be even more so as PSG must still challenge Atlético Madrid, Bayern Munich or even Manchester City in the qualifying phase.
How should PSG go about raising their level in the Champions League?
LUIS HENRY. I think the team played very well against Girona and, of course, we didn’t do what we wanted against Arsenal. But I’m happy with what I saw from my team. You see doubts, I see the growth of the team, its potential. There are a lot of things to improve but I am very optimistic. I like what I see from my players since the start of the season.
Is this the most important match of the league phase before a very heavy sequence?
The next match is always the most important. And with the current Champions League format, every home game is even more important. But it is also for PSV. As the competition progresses, we all need to score points. We will play this match with a lot of motivation and optimism to win.
Where do you rate the level of PSV Eindhoven?
It’s difficult to assess his level. We can guess of course, but playing at home or away changes everything! They are a very high level rival, there is no doubt about it, in the championship they win with incredible numbers. They are capable of causing us difficulties. It will be a difficult match.
What should we expect?
A bit like Strasbourg, a difficult match, because they press well, they play far from their goal. They are a team that dares with the ball, they play very well with Luuk de Jong, with their wingers. They know how to defend well too. I think the score as the match progresses will make PSV more or less aggressive. The C1 is a very difficult competition, but tomorrow we play at home at the Parc des Princes and we want to obtain a positive result.
“What is important is not the goal or who makes the assist, it is the overall mentality of the team”
Is Randal Kolo Muani fit to play?
All players are available.
Did you insist on efficiency in front of goal with Bradley Barcola?
We work, yes, like all teams. But, what is important is not the goal or who makes the assist, it is the overall mentality of the team. There is a lot of collective work beforehand.
Your average age is closer to Ajax in 1995, does this require that your players progress quickly or, on the contrary, that they have more time?
Our team was already young last season. She is again this season, but with more experience. Our international players have already played in major competitions. When you plan a season, there are a lot of players you can’t buy because they are very expensive. Faced with this impossibility, we have to make do with what we have. There is the possibility of creating a more complete squad to access the titles. This is what we did again this year.
What does Kang-in Lee’s start to the season inspire you?
He is one of those players who arrived last year. And he reinforced all the ideas we had about him before. He is a very high level player, capable of going on goal, making assists, playing in different positions.
What do you think of Achraf Hakimi’s performances?
It’s similar to last year. I even think it’s a little better on the defensive side, it’s more effective. Hakimi is a very high level player, with great competitiveness, a benchmark compared to his colleagues. I see him more mature and that’s good. It shows that he is growing.
