On the eve of a trip to Lille, facing the team of Paolo Fonseca whose work he says he appreciates, Luis Enrique returned to the cautious end-of-match instructions given to his team. He also mentioned the possible recruitment in the winter transfer window which would allow his team to improve and as well as the use of Kylian Mbappé and Vitinha.
Does the progress of your team, which you mentioned on Wednesday evening in Dortmund by saying that you would be better in February, involve the recruitment of a player?
LUIS ENRIQUE. The improvement of the team is my opinion and it is subject to analysis, based on what the players transmit to me. It is also linked to my optimistic way of seeing the evolution of the team. I am clearly optimistic. We had a Champions League group which was the most difficult in the competition. Milan, for example, had the status of last semi-finalist, we qualified, not them. It’s very positive. We are talking about a team (Paris) which is leader in all areas, which creates the most chances, has the most possessions, expected goals… We are very positive. Obviously, football will put everyone in their place. The winter transfer window is always complicated, it’s very difficult to find high-level players. But we are open to the idea of improving the team. You always have to improve the team if you can do it. It is therefore possible that players will come.
How do you distribute roles with Luis Campos in squad management?
I have lived in the locker rooms of big teams all my life. It’s managed with standards of discipline, requirements… That’s what makes discipline good. But here, it’s one of the easiest teams I’ve had to manage, it’s a pleasure to coach a group like that.
Last season, the replacement of Kylian Mbappé at the forefront almost created a psychodrama at PSG. How did you convince him to come back? How do you find him more effective in this role? And aren’t you afraid, if the situation continues, of losing players like Gonçalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani?
I don’t have to convince anyone of anything. Kylian not only has the same freedom as everyone else, but also the same freedom he had when I arrived. We are talking about a top level player, who brings us 50 goals and 25 assists per season. Even if you insist on it, I repeat, he does not play as number 9, but he has total freedom, whether in the center, on the right, on the left. I didn’t have to convince Kylian. But if I had to do it, I would have done it for the good of the team. For the rest, each coaching decision obviously has repercussions and can affect certain players. But what motivates me is not my ego as a coach, it is that the team plays as well as possible and wins titles.
In which area do you expect improvements?
I have no doubt that we will be better in February. All my teams have been better over the months. We will recover players who are coming off injuries, we are open to the possibility of welcoming new ones… Why would I be pessimistic? It’s my nature to be positive, especially as I repeat, in terms of goals, situations and possession, we rely on good numbers.
Do you consider that the composition of the Champions League group has slowed down your progress?
We are a possession team, the third in this area in the Champions League. I did not invent. When we recover we can also make transitions, we can play in different ways, it’s wonderful. On the contrary, the qualification made us grow, we did not play a normal group stage, our first six matches all had the feel of the 16th or 8th finals. In terms of growth, it’s the best group we could have had. We have to improve now, but I’m happy with what I see.
What is the role of Layvin Kurzawa who is struggling to get playing time. Will we see him again before the break?
Nothing special is happening with Layvin. He is in the group, training diligently. He could have left this summer, but he decided to stay. I am very happy to have him in the squad. He had been warned that he would not have too much playing time, but he is not complaining. On the contrary, he trains seriously.
“I will be delighted to greet Mr Fonseca and tell him all the good things I think of his team. »
You used Vitinha lower than usual against Dortmund. Were you happy with it and will you use it again like this?
Did you see the match? Did you like it? I do ! Sometimes some players may play in different positions. This is his case, he can also play lower, on the side, right to left… When you are open-minded and you have the qualities, it’s possible. I’m sure he would prefer to have more playing time in his natural position, but you also have to help the team. I loved his game as number 6 with his ability to defend, I loved his physical efforts. He played a very complete match in Dortmund.
Do you understand Mbappé’s frustrated reaction to Dortmund when you asked to calm things down and he wanted to seek success?
Yes I understand, but I’m the one who gives the orders. And it’s one of the best decisions of my career. With Milan leading, we couldn’t concede goals. It was not only my decision, but also that of my staff. I understand the players who were guided by their emotions. When Milan were drawing, there was no order to calm down. But from the moment the score had changed, it would have been ridiculous to concede a goal at that moment.
Lille has been undefeated since September, what type of match are you expecting?
Since September 26 to be exact. Mr. Fonseca is a high-level coach. I really like what Lille does with and without the ball. They have game situations where it will not be easy to take the ball from them, because they have a lot of possessions. They are one of the best teams in the championship. I will be delighted to greet Mr Fonseca and tell him all the good things I think of his team.
