Four days after a memorable clasico won against OM during the Champions Trophy (2-2, 4-1 tab), PSG is playing a new symbolic meeting. A second derby against Paris FC awaits Luis Enrique’s men this Monday evening (9:10 p.m.) in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France at the Parc des Princes.
Already defeated their neighbor a week ago in Ligue 1 (2-1), the European champions intend to follow up with another success. Present at a press conference this Sunday, Luis Enrique spoke more about individual cases, notably that of Gonçalo Ramos, than the reception of the PFC.
How do you manage to be so concerned about Gonçalo Ramos who scored again at the end of the match against OM after coming off the bench?
LUIS HENRY. When you sign a contract at a big club like PSG, you don’t know how many minutes you’re going to play. When you sign, your responsibility is to be ready to help the team and that’s what Ramos and a lot of players do. He is a true example of professionalism, he is ready all the time. I’m sure he wants to play a lot more minutes but he clearly shows what a PSG player should do. He deserves to play more, I know that but I have to say that I am very happy to have a player like Ramos. He is our top scorer and his number of goals is incredible.
Several players are in the process of negotiating their contract extensions. Can this subject have an impact on group cohesion?
There are rumors all the time around PSG. We are used to this. It’s private and it will stay that way. There is a lot of fake news around PSG. We can consider that it is important to destabilize the club. It’s normal to have negotiations. We know what we want, in that sense we are calm, peaceful. It’s a private thing and it will stay that way.
Is it a disadvantage to face the PFC so quickly?
It’s more positive to play every four days than every ten days. We have an advantage. The problem is traveling is tiring. It’s not an excuse, we’re used to it. We stay focused, we love the Coupe de France. It’s a different competition. It’s a different, special match, it’s like a final because we can be eliminated. We want to continue of course.
Do you want to keep Ousmane Dembélé at all costs?
This is a question for sports management. When you see Luis Campos, you can ask him the question.
Could you become the first PSG coach with a lifetime contract?
(He pretends to snore and laughs). We continue. If you take my statements from the past, it is very clear, nothing has changed.
Have you been reassured by Lucas Chevalier and do you plan to start him against the PFC?
Tomorrow we will see what our choice will be. But that doesn’t change what I think of each player after three games. Normally there is a very broad and intense improvement in what a player does well or not well. One match doesn’t change our way of thinking
Is this the ideal time to ramp up?
It’s important to strive to improve. It’s a time when you have to win matches to continue in competitions. There are still many months left, but we have to show our level to then face the important matches in the Champions League and Ligue 1. There are more opponents in Ligue 1 who are having a very good season and we have to show our quality in each match.
How do you explain the mental strength of your team?
We won a lot of games at the end of the match last season. This is still the case this season. You must be lucky but our mentality is different. This is very positive and we need to improve things to be in this situation less often.
How do you keep the club hungry for titles?
It’s impossible to improve our record because there is no Club World Cup this season. In terms of motivation, we spoke with the players and the team and it’s very clear: you don’t think about trophies because it’s the last step. We have to stay focused on what we do well and what we can improve, that’s the key. It’s a different, special group of players, I’m happy to have this type of players. But we remain focused.
