PSG 1-0 Girona - Luis Enrique post-match press conference

Luis Enrique was very pleased with his team's second half, despite missed chances, as he addressed the press after PSG's match against Girona (1-0) this Wednesday. The Parisian coach also provided updates on Marco Asensio, who left the pitch due to injury and paid tribute to his evening's opponents, who posed significant challenges.

PSG 1-0 Girona - Luis Enrique post-match press conference

What did you think of your team's performance? It took a while for the scoreline to settle, but in terms of content, what did you like and dislike?

“Good evening everyone, to start. I think the match was heavy for us at the beginning. Heavy because we were imprecise. And when you begin a competition like this, knowing what it represents for a club like ours… We missed easy passes and didn't dare to play the ball inside. Girona defended very well. They demonstrated why they were at the top of the Spanish league for so long last season and why they qualified for the Champions League.

They showed they have a top-level coach and are a high-quality club. Girona plays much better, in my opinion, than many teams from pots 3, 2, and even 1. I dare say it and have no doubt about it. It was very tough for us. Perhaps I didn’t like those early inaccuracies, but I understood them, and I really liked the second half. Our rhythm, both physically and technically, was far superior to Girona's. We had two or three clear goal-scoring opportunities but didn’t convert.

And just when it seemed we were heading for a draw, Nuno Mendes scored, albeit with a bit of luck, even if I didn't see it. In the end, those are three points I believe we deserved, which make our supporters happy. They kept encouraging us until the 95th minute, and we kept fighting until that same minute.”

You mentioned that you could have scored but didn't manage to do so before the 90th minute. How do you explain your team’s offensive struggles, particularly in the first half with getting the ball to Dembele and Barcola? It seemed easier in the second half, with a total of 26 shots, but is it a question of realism or more about difficulties in getting the ball forward compared to previous matches?

“Realism, what realism? I don’t know what realism means.”

(The journalist tells him it's about efficiency, and Luis Enrique replies)

“Ah, efficiency, thank you. Against Montpellier, we scored six goals. Normally, we average four. Today, we had about twenty shots against an opponent who defended very well. We scored one goal; that's football, a wonderful sport. I think it would be very unfair to start seeing problems where I don’t see any. But I respect all opinions.

I believe Girona was at a very high level in the first half, and in the second, we were infinitely superior. We were also at a good level in the first half, except for two or three moments where they managed to break our press and create a few problems. I believe if you look at the chances and expected goals, they favour us. But today we weren't efficient, yes, but that’s football.”

Can we have an update on Marco Asensio, who seemed to be struggling with a thigh injury?

“Yes, he is injured. He felt a pinch and will undergo tests tomorrow. The doctor and the club will inform you when they know more, but yes, he is injured and asked to be substituted. It’s a shame because he was performing at a very high level, and we don’t want our players getting injured, but that’s how it is.”

When your objective is to finish in the top eight of this group stage, as it is for you, starting with a victory is a good omen for what’s to come, especially with a tough schedule against big teams?

“Starting with a victory is important in all competitions, but I won't go as far as to say we will finish in the top eight or the top twenty-four because we have the toughest schedule of the 36 teams. That’s not just my opinion; it’s what the statistics say. I don’t know if they will hold true.

I just know that we are the most motivated team. In that respect, no one can compete with us. Afterwards, our results will determine whether we deserve to be in the top eight or twenty-four. But I won’t risk saying where we should be because I can’t compare myself to any other team. There are 36 teams and 36 different schedules.”

Let’s talk about Nuno Mendes’ positioning: when your team has the ball, he often plays in line with the three defenders. Doesn’t that restrict him? We saw him more comfortable in the second half when he was able to play higher up the pitch.

“He played the same way in the second half as in the first. Aside from a few tactical changes we made, his position remained the same. This is a team game. I know you like him and that he’s an incredible attacking player, but he’s also a very good defender. The team needs that, and there will be other moments to play more offensively with him, but the balance of a team is important, and normally Nuno is in defence during those phases of play.”

When you find yourself in a challenging match like this evening, around the 60th or 70th minute, do you think it’s the players that need changing or rather the tactics? Who makes that decision and when did you make it this evening?

“Normally, we have the same game idea. It’s true that in the first half we had difficulties and some players weren’t at their best. In the second half, it changed completely. We injected much more rhythm; everything flowed much better. We caused them more problems down the flanks.

The player substitutions gave us a bit more freshness and strength, and I believe the physical level was significant, as was the rhythm. Girona noticed that much more in the second half than in the first. As for who decides? The coach, that’s why I’m paid, along with my staff.”

You mentioned that Girona broke out of your press; Eric Roy (Brest) pointed out that your team ran incredibly well: do you think your team’s greatest strength is this ability to press and counter-press?

“It’s one of the characteristics of any team that has the ball, of any team that wants to be great and have possession. We had 70% possession against Girona (he insists). And you’ll look at Girona’s possession percentage in their upcoming La Liga and Champions League matches.

We managed to seize the ball from Girona, and if we’re then able to press as we do and run as we run, we’re going to become a very, very difficult team to beat. That’s the goal. My teams always try to play good football and are used to having more of the ball than the opponent and running a lot. And that’s without doing pre-season training, so just imagine what we’ll be like when we do…”

Can you tell us a bit more about Marco Asensio and what you said to Michel at the end of the match?

“At the end of the match, I told him I suffered more than during a childbirth. And yet I’ve witnessed a few births, even though I wasn’t obviously the protagonist. I suffered a lot during this match because we had to win and take the three points, and I saw we were struggling to create danger in the first half. In the second half, it was different, but we missed our chances.

And when you get close to the 90th minute and see you can’t win your first match, you inevitably suffer. I congratulated him not just for tonight, but also for what he represents as a coach, him and his club, in European football. I’m certain they’ll take points and be a tough team to beat. As for Marco Asensio, I stopped my medical career last year, so I can’t tell you exactly what he has.”

You mentioned the pressure; did Barcola feel a bit more pressure being in the area previously occupied by Mbappe, given the significance of his role this year? Are you satisfied with his performance?

“I’m very satisfied with all my players’ performances. Bradley is the same wonderful player everyone idolised two weeks ago. He’s the same player. He’s young, with a lot of offensive and defensive qualities. He wants to improve. I’m very happy with him, and I don’t make comparisons with the past. The past doesn’t interest me. The present interests me, and I like to see my players fighting and giving their all until the end.”