A victory, a fourth clean sheet of the season (1-0), a goal from the usual unfortunate Ousmane Dembélé: PSG managed a great operation this Saturday afternoon at the Parc des Princes by beating Lens and its best defense of League 1. Four days before the Champions League clash against Atlético de Madrid, Luis Enrique‘s team is showing positive signals. The coach was at a press conference after this success.
What did you think of this success against Lens?
LUIS HENRY. A very complete match, against an aggressive opponent who dared a lot of things, who made things difficult for us by not allowing us to play at our usual pace. We managed to get the victory but we deserved to score more. It is a deserved victory for which we had to fight a lot. These are three more points for us.
Why did you want to see Matvey Safonov in goal tonight?
Because I knew we would have a lot of difficulty due to Lens’ pressing. Very high pressure. Very strong duels where the only free player is the goalkeeper. I have a total obsession with the idea that all players can play. Safonov, Tenas and Donnarumma must be ready at all times. If I want this to be the case for the goalkeepers, I want it to be the case for everyone else too. It’s my obsession and I work on it every day. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don’t. I like to see players ready. Today, Safonov has generated a certain superiority for us. He was very good, I think. It wasn’t easy for him either but I’m very happy with his performance.
Safonov missed twelve passes. Is it because he tries more than another goalkeeper?
Superiority is generated when an opponent puts pressure in the opponent’s half. The opponent must attack the goalkeeper. The numbers don’t matter. Every time the Lens player goes at our goalkeeper, it leaves a free player on the pitch. Most of the time, we found solutions and, each time, it turned into a scoring opportunity. Safonov made no mistakes. Whether the attacker receives the ball doesn’t really matter. He is very complete and in this very difficult playing situation, we had a very good match.
Did you start him because he has a better kicking game than Gianluigi Donnarumma?
Non.
“We found a very high level central defender in Pacho”
How do you judge Fabian Ruiz’s performance?
I consider that the 5 backgrounds I have all have a very high level. Fabian Ruiz is recognized, he is European champion. He plays according to the other partners. He had a very difficult match because he had little time to think but I am very happy with everyone’s performance.
Is Willan Pacho the right find for your summer transfer window?
We found a very high level central defender in Pacho. It is perfect for the idea of the game that we have, playing high, leaving spaces in the back. He finds space with the ball, he doesn’t commit fouls and doesn’t collect warnings. He has room for improvement, obviously. This is what we had planned. Its adaptation is faster than we expected.
Are you still counting on Randal Kolo Muani?
I count on all my players. This is my idea as a coach and I am a coach willing to change my mind at any time based on what I see. I don’t complain about any player.
Is this a perfect start to the season in the championship?
I don’t read the press but there was a rumor at the start of the season that said we weren’t the strongest. We have to stay focused and keep this very high level intention. This is my state of mind. The comments from the beginning of the season do not come true. We are here to deny all of this.
Can you explain to us the departure during the season of one of your assistants, Aitor Unzué?
Nothing special. Everyone’s paths in football are personal trajectories and I make decisions. I thank him for these four years spent together and I wish him the best.
