Luis Enrique predicted a difficult match. The day will undoubtedly have been more complicated than expected for the Parisian coach and his team. If Paris certainly managed to reverse the situation by winning thanks to a penalty converted by Kylian Mbappé in the money-time this Sunday at the Francis-Le Blé stadium (2-3), Brest gave the team a lot of trouble. reigning French champion in a lively and electric second period. A meeting that Parisians will have plenty of time to rehash on their way home. The control tower at Brest airport having been hit by lightning, it was not by plane but in minibuses reserved urgently that Parisians left Brest to make the six-hour drive separating them from the capital.
You announced that it would be a difficult match. Do you feel like you got out of a bad situation?
LUIS ENRIQUE. More than a trap match, it was a difficult match. Brest had not yet lost at home. We had a very good start to the match with four or five scoring chances. We controlled the match for a long time, but it completely changed with Brest’s first goal at the end of the first period. The second period was undoubtedly PSG’s worst since I became coach. They made a lot of crosses, dominated the aerial game, I wouldn’t have been surprised if Brest won the match.
Does this mean that Paris’ victory is not necessarily deserved?
No, I’m not saying that because in the first half we could have scored at least four times. But in the second half, they were better, it’s true. But we cannot say that our victory is not deserved. At the end of the season, we will have the points we deserve.
“They were superior, it’s true”
How do you explain this second period where Brest deprived you of the ball?
It’s quite easy, when you give facilities to the opposing team, knowing that they are playing at home, they start to win duels, to press, to take risks… That’s how it is, that’s the soccer. They were superior, it’s true. This is an analysis that we must take into account to continue to improve.
Kylian Mbappé seemed tense when leaving the pitch. Do you know why ?
No. We just knew that he had a little discomfort in his back, he asked to change. I didn’t notice, I just saw that there was a little tension with the stand, but I don’t know more.
Paris seemed to struggle on short throws when put under pressure. Are these your instructions not to leave at these times?
It’s just that we have to keep playing ball, that’s the instruction I give them. We are the team with the highest possession in France, probably even in Europe. It’s not a mathematical formula, just because our plan doesn’t work one day doesn’t mean we have to change everything, review all our plans. Brest did some good pressing in the second half but just because our plan didn’t work doesn’t mean we have to rethink everything. We need to continue working on this, that’s my idea. For me, this is above all proof that there are no more small teams. But I remain convinced that we are on the right track.
