A few days after its glorious victory against Toulouse at the Parc des Princes in the Trophée des Champions, Paris Saint-Germain continues its return to action after the end-of-year celebrations. A return to the turbin for the troops of the Spanish coach, Luis Enrique, who will also officially make their return to the Coupe de France, this Sunday evening, against the modest club of US Revel, residents of Regional 1 in the Occitanie zone, the sixth level of the French football league system. A meeting as part of the 32nd finals of the competition which will be played on the pitch of the Pierre-Fabre stadium of the Castres Olympic rugby team which the Gijon tactician does not want to underestimate: “They are not professional, they are in an amateur level category. They are first in their championship. We saw two Revel matches but not in tomorrow’s stadium, there is a difference. This does not mean that there will not be danger. If we don’t prepare for the match adequately, things could go wrong. That’s how we should see things, that’s what I told the team. It will take desire”explained the former coach at a press conference this Saturday noon.
If the Coupe de France represents a good way for big clubs to offer chances to players lacking playing time, Luis Enrique does not want to take any risks, considering this competition as a major objective of the PSG season: “Winning a trophy is positive for everyone at the club. In the second part of the season, we will try to win more. The Coupe de France is an attractive and legendary competition. It’s a different competition, shorter, where you can win in 6 matches. You have to do like all the other teams and find out about them. The Coupe de France is one of our goals, like all trophies. We have to win the match tomorrow, we have to take this competition like any other, knowing the importance of this trophy. We train in particular with young people, we watch the Academy, we are open to everything. It’s a serious match.”he analyzed, refusing to rotate his squad unnecessarily, while Kylian Mbappé could well be the starter tomorrow according to what he implied: “We are only going to play four matches in January. This could be the perfect opportunity for him to rest but also for him to play. It depends on which side you take it”. In any case, Luis Enrique’s group management is special…
Zero questions despite the 4 injuries!
While Milan Škriniar will have to play the pool after his injury contracted against Toulouse on Wednesday, the PSG infirmary continues to fill up with the prolonged absence of executives like Presnel Kimpembe and Nuno Mendes. Despite these three important players injured, Luis Enrique does not seem worried at all: “Anyone who doesn’t accept injuries doesn’t know what they’re talking about, it’s part of high-level sport. It’s not a health issue, otherwise you have to go jogging in the park with your wife. High-level football is not about health. The only thing to do is to be in your best physical and mental shape. It has nothing to do with it being a lower level team. For me, the match tomorrow is very important. We have to win it and play in the best possible conditions. I’m considering all options. Rotate, trust the incumbent. We are PSG, it’s not 12 or 13 players, there are 25 players in the squad. Everyone should be able to help”then explained the 53-year-old Spaniard.
The press conference organized this Saturday at the Poissy Center of Paris Saint-Germain was also an opportunity to return to certain players who have been sidelined for a long time, such as Nordi Mukiele, who has been missing since December 3 against Le Havre. Luis Enrique made a point of explaining himself, brushing aside any supposed problem with his player: “It’s normal when you’re at a big club that there are players who don’t play. I’m not concerned. I have an exceptional squad, that’s what we asked for. There are two players per position, of very high level. Sometimes some people won’t play. They have an obligation to train as much as possible. I am perhaps one of the most rotated coaches in Europe. I understand that the players are not happy but I don’t care. As soon as I use one, it should be ready. It is 100% available. “It happens all the time that players don’t play.”. As a reminder, the Portuguese striker, Gonçalo Ramos, has also paid the price for the management of the Parisian coach since the former Benfica player has only played six minutes since November 25. Against Revel, Luis Enrique did not seem open to the idea of rotating, either in goal or in the team’s attack. Answer tomorrow, but watch out for new injuries…
