The Parisian coach answered questions from journalists this Friday, at a press conference, on the eve of the reception of Lens on Saturday (5 p.m.), during the 10th day of L1.
Willian Pacho : “Since the start of last season, I have often spoken about the difference between what I can tell you and the statistics, the actions. He is one of those who has played the most. We knew his signature was important. He adapted very quickly and it’s easy when you have confidence and playing time. He brings things we needed, winning duels, bringing out the ball, recovering the ball, efficient in his zone … It’s a contribution that we judge very positively since his first minute at the club.”
More goals than last season… despite a lack of realism : “I’ve had the same feeling since the start of the season, very different from yours: you see problems where I don’t see any. On the contrary, we score more goals, we take more points and you are concerned about things that I don’t see. There is no particular problem in this sense. The team found solutions to all the problems as they always have, and brilliantly. I would add that compared to the Champions League, there was a match in which we were not at the level (the 2-0 defeat at Arsenal, Editor’s note). For the rest, we were very superior to our opponents. We would have deserved to win these matches. But once again, I see things from a positive point of view because the figures are there, they don’t lie.”
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The atmosphere is almost perfect, the players are young, they are beautiful, they are successful in life, they do what they want to do, they are well paid… They don’t have much merit in being happy.
Luis Enrique
Randal Cole Muani : “I am counting on all the players in the squad. I rely on matches but also what I see in training. A player who doesn’t usually play can turn things around in practice very well and I have no problem giving or taking away playing time based on what I consider to be best for the team. (…) If he has the right state of mind? Yes. The atmosphere is very good. There was already a similar situation last season. Those who arrived this year bring a lot in all aspects, football or personal. The atmosphere is almost perfect, they are young, they are beautiful, they are successful in life, they do what they want to do, they are well paid… They don’t have much merit in being happy (smile).”
The impact of the growing midfielder : “My goal is always the same, namely to ensure that those who contribute a lot contribute even more, and those who contribute little can help the team. It’s the same for all players, you have to score more goals, concede fewer, ask more from the goalkeeper or defenders… You must never be satisfied with what you have. We score three goals per match in Ligue 1 despite the situation that you have all known since this summer (the departure of Mbappé, author of 44 goals in 2023-24, Editor’s note). So I’m almost embarrassed, it’s a little weird that you see problems while I only see positives, a team growing under a different project. Obviously, there will be bad, difficult matches, defeats. But I’m optimistic about what I see.”
His expectations for the environments : “I spoke with the five midfielders today. I hope they will score a lot of goals. I would like them to each have around ten goals, assists, not to mention the defensive aspects of course. I mentioned five midfielders, but I could add a sixth with Kang-in Lee. I don’t want to see anyone whose level drops. If this were to be the case, another player would take the place. It’s the same objective for attackers or defenders. And when you generate this kind of rivalry, with a level that is already very high in training, that’s how you increase the level of competitiveness of a team.
The African Golden Ball for Achraf Hakimi : “I would have to know perfectly the other players competing for the trophy in order to make an opinion… This is not the case. Do you present Hakimi as the best right-back in the world? I’ve never met a better player in this position, it’s true, but he has a lot of room for improvement. He is still discovering himself as a player and as a man. He already has a lot of experience despite his youth. As for further progress, it’s hard, we don’t do it with words but with actions. He is on the right track. I feel it better than last year on both the football and personal aspects.”
How he prepares for workouts : “I am the visible head of the staff but there is a very efficient technical team, with many very prepared people. Many of us imagine these training sessions, we put in place strategies based on what we want to work on tactically but also physically because there are a lot of matches and we have to control the workload of those who play. a little less. I always try to change training, game situations, to get players out of their comfort zone. It’s interesting to imagine but it’s hard to explain.”
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I would like the future to be written with Luis Campos.
Luis Enrique
His tandem with Luis Campos : “We talk to each other daily, often in person but also on the phone when that is not the case. I started this project with Luis Campos. We don’t know what will happen in the future but I would like the future to be written with Luis Campos and his team, no doubt about it.
Valencia floods : “A minute of silence? The world of football is always more united. Clubs like ours have a foundation to help people who need it. This is a tragedy that affects human beings. Anything that concerns solidarity with Valencia and the community of Valencia is good. As for the minute of silence, I don’t know, but it is important to provide economic aid and support to the families of the missing. It’s beautiful when you feel that the world of football is coming together to help.”
More freedom to undertake this season : “I have felt very good since the first day here. Last season was a different season. I was able to plan certain signings with Luis Campos and Nasser Al-Khelaïfi but certain recruitments were planned before. This season, it’s different, some players left, we took others. I feel just as comfortable this season, maybe even more, simply because I’m not new here anymore, I know the people, the players, all the components of the club. I hope I will continue on this line, feel good and work at this level, but the past season was already very positive.
Already eight goals for Bradley Barcola in Ligue 1 : “How far can he go? I don’t know and I don’t worry, I actually don’t care. If he goes three days without scoring you’re going to say something else… It’s an endurance race, a marathon, there will be ups and downs and when he doesn’t score, another player will score. There is no additional responsibility for this or that player. Everyone must protect everyone, so that there is no more pressure on any player, including those who score a lot. The important thing is that the team scored 30 goals.”
Will Still ambitious before facing Paris, “a great team (but) which has its weaknesses” : “We’ll see tomorrow (he said it in French, Editor’s note).”
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We seek to be unpredictable for the opponent and predictable for ourselves.
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How his device blocked OM last Sunday, particularly with Ousmane Dembélé in the middle : “With this squad, we have the ability to change position continually. One of our objectives with the staff is that the best players are in the right position as much as possible, often through the outside, as is regularly the case for Ousmane. But sometimes, we manage to find the players in the middle and it’s interesting because it’s closer to the opponent’s cage. In this sense, our way of approaching the match has not changed much. Positioning may change depending on the opponent. Until the expulsion (of Amine Harit), we exercised very clear domination. And afterward, it was inevitably a little diluted. I am very proud of what I see, I have confidence in the attitude of my players in all matches and each game situation. We seek to be unpredictable for the opponent and predictable for ourselves. In this sense, the team is progressing. And that’s probably why she generates so many chances, with this mobility and this versatility within the team.”
The partial closure of Auteuil after homophobic chants against Strasbourg : “Like the club’s communication but also on a personal level, I condemn all types of verbal or physical violence, homophobic acts of all kinds. But I only see sanctions for PSG. The stand is regularly closed while we hear everything in other stadiums without any particular sanction… But I condemn any act of physical or verbal violence.”
Comments collected at a press conference
