Paris Saint-Germain turns its attention back to domestic duties this weekend, traveling to Nice on Saturday evening as they aim to maintain their lead atop the Ligue 1 table. The match comes just days after a dominant Champions League performance against Chelsea and ahead of a crucial two-legged quarter-final tie against Liverpool. PSG manager Luis Enrique addressed the media on Friday, outlining his team’s focus and providing updates on player availability, including anticipation for the upcoming clash with Liverpool.
Navigating a Tight Schedule
One key question facing PSG is whether they will request a postponement of their April 11th Ligue 1 match against Lens, which falls between the two legs of their Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool. Enrique acknowledged the situation, stating, “I would like to wait for news. Each team seeks to discover the best conditions to play the competitions. We can understand the interest of each team.” This suggests PSG is weighing its options, but has not yet made a formal request. Lens manager Peter Sage has already indicated he would not support a postponement, believing PSG is capable of competing regardless.
International Recognition for Chevalier
The PSG squad is also experiencing international call-ups. Goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier has been selected for the French national team for upcoming friendly matches. Enrique expressed his delight at Chevalier’s inclusion, saying, “I am very happy, really, to see Lucas in the list of the French team, because he deserves it. I seek to defend my players. My opinion on Lucas’s level is clear. I am the coach who signed him. My opinion has not changed. I am very happy to see Lucas in the French team and I would have done the same if I had been the coach.” He firmly stated that Chevalier’s international duty would not influence his selection for the weekend’s match against Nice, emphasizing his commitment to evaluating players based on their performance within the PSG system.
Looking Ahead to Liverpool
The prospect of facing Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-finals was a topic of discussion. Enrique reflected on last season’s encounter, recalling, “It’s a good memory. I remember last season that Liverpool was the best team in Europe. They had an incredible level. I remember that Arne Slot spoke very well of PSG, like no one else did. It was very positive for us, a beautiful memory. This quarter-final will be a ‘classic.’”
When asked if the roles have reversed this season and if PSG are now the favorites, Enrique chuckled and responded, “Ah, we are favorites now? (he laughs). I seek to control the locker room. I am lucky and happy to have an incredible team and intelligent players. In this type of match, there are no favorites. These are two teams that understand how to play this type of match.” This demonstrates a cautious approach, acknowledging Liverpool’s quality while emphasizing the competitive balance between the two sides.
Squad Depth and Barcola’s Injury
PSG is currently relying on a core group of 12-13 players capable of competing at the Champions League level. However, they’ve suffered a setback with an injury to Bradley Barcola. Enrique acknowledged the loss, stating, “I would like to have more than 12, 13, 14 players. But when this moment of the competition arrives, We see I who decide which players are ready. It is not the time to look for things, it is the time to have certainties and confidence in the players who have shown their level.” He indicated he will select players based on current form and readiness, rather than seeking replacements.
Regarding Barcola’s injury specifically, Enrique said, “It’s clear, you saw it, Barcola’s state of mind and technique in recent months were very important to us. He has done very positive things for the team. It’s a shame to have this injury. It’s even worse when it concerns one of the most decisive players. But we must adapt, that’s life.”
Focus on the Ligue 1 Clash with Nice
Turning his attention to the immediate challenge, Enrique confirmed that João Neves is unavailable for the match against Nice due to a lack of training. He stressed the importance of managing Neves’s fitness over the coming months. He emphasized the significance of securing three points against Nice, stating, “It’s the most important moment, vital to win, because we need the three points. It’s an opponent who is in difficulty. We must win and improve our level away in the championship.”
Enrique also addressed the challenge of maintaining the team’s physical condition with the international break looming. “The international break is always difficult to manage, but it’s important to play with your selection. There, these will be friendly matches, there is no particular stake. I hope they will play a little less. We will see what happens during this period.”
Enrique remains confident in his team’s ability to compete. “We are a difficult team to face. We have shown our level. But we think we can still improve.”
PSG’s match against Nice on Saturday, April 5th, kicks off at 9:05 PM CET (3:05 PM EDT). Following this Ligue 1 fixture, the team will prepare for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool on April 8th in Paris.
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