Luis Enrique’s Insights Ahead of PSG’s Clash against Reims
Paris Saint-Germain’s head coach, Luis Enrique, addressed the media in a press conference on Friday, providing key insights ahead of the team’s upcoming away fixture against Reims in the 12th round of Ligue 1.
**PSG’s Need for a Turnaround:**
Enrique acknowledged the imperative for PSG to bounce back, stating, “The previous result obviously conditions the next match. We need to change our mindset, transitioning from the Champions League to Ligue 1. It’s crucial to analyze areas for improvement and introduce new ideas.”
**Zaïre Emery on the International Stage:**
Commenting on Warren Zaïre Emery’s potential inclusion in the French national team, Enrique expressed confidence, saying, “If Warren is capable of being a starter at PSG, he can be a starter in any team worldwide.”
**Challenges Anticipated Against Reims:**
Discussing the upcoming match against Reims, Enrique emphasized the difficulty of playing away against an intriguing opponent with a strong pressing game, stating, “It’s a challenging away match against an interesting opponent, showcasing quality in pressing. We’ll observe how the match unfolds, but it’s a tough one. We need to be extremely vigilant right from the start.”
**Versatility of Vitinha:**
Enrique praised Vitinha’s versatility, highlighting his technical and physical qualities aligned with the team’s playing style, saying, “Vitinha is a player with technical and physical qualities perfectly suited to our playing philosophy. He’s a very interesting player, capable of playing as a defensive midfielder or almost as a winger. It’s interesting that he can change positions during the match. He has the quality to score. I’m pleased to have him in our squad. He’s one of the midfielders who has played the most, I believe.”
**Asensio’s Return Requires Caution:**
Regarding Marco Asensio’s potential return, Enrique exercised caution, stating, “As for the squad list, I can’t tell you anything until it’s finalized. It’s true that he has come out of the infirmary; he may return to the squad, but he needs to regain physical condition. We’ll see when he’ll be able to be competitive again.”
**Group of Death in the Champions League:**
Enrique acknowledged the challenges of being in the “Group of Death” in the Champions League, stating, “We’re not yet in first place, and there’s still room for improvement. In the Champions League, it’s the toughest group in the competition, one of the only truly interesting groups. Until the last matchday, there will be the possibility of finishing 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th. It resembles knockout stages, quarters, or even semis. I’m confident we’ll qualify, but there’s obviously a risk.”