PSG vs. Lyon: Luis Enrique's Pre-Match Press Conference

Although PSG vs. Lyon was postponed to Monday, the traditional press conference was not. This Saturday at the Campus, Luis Enrique appeared at a press conference.

The Spanish coach spoke with journalists in Poissy about the postponement. He also addressed Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's injury: he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Barcelona on Tuesday night.

Q: When you learned of Kvaratskhelia's injury, how did you react?

A: "Unfortunately, we already knew after the match how difficult this injury was. It's a tough injury. Nothing. In the moment, you think about the player, about what he is going to experience. It's difficult, but in the end you have to be positive. If you want to play professionally, you will get injured; that is the life of professional players. Kvara is a warrior; it will be a different experience, but you have to look for the positive things. There will be some. We are waiting for him. He has been, is, and will be very important for us. We remain attentive to what he needs."

Q: Zabarnyi has been used a lot since his arrival. What is your view of his development? Has he improved?

A: "It's always the same thing with players who don't play much. Zabarnyi plays a lot; every player goes through different situations. I'd say he is ready; he is young but has experience. I think he will improve his performances. It is not easy to be competitive in a team like PSG. In my view, he has done it. He can improve his performances, but I am happy; I see him more comfortable every time he plays. We had thought about signing him a long time ago; I am very happy to have him."

Q: Do you want or need to sign attacking players?

A: "No, not especially. No injury forces us to sign. None! I said at the start of the season that we can stay calm even if two or three important players get injured. But we remain attentive, as always, to the opportunity to sign new players. But not to make up for the injury, but to strengthen the team. It is a responsibility to be attentive to the transfer market."

Q: How did you react to the announcement that PSG vs. Lyon was postponed? Will you keep an eye on the Ballon d'Or?

A: "No, it doesn't interest me at all! I remain focused on the match. If we play on Monday, it works better given the current situation. I accept it in very good spirits. You have to know that Sunday is a special day because of the American football game and the current situation. There is no problem playing on Monday. We have shown what kind of team we are. Many of our players can win the Ballon d'Or. We will see who wins it, but it won't change what we are seeking as a team."

Q: How will the injuries to Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia, and Marquinhos impact your rotation?

A: "As usual: I don't want to change anything about what I do, but I would like to change everything to remain unpredictable. It depends on the match, the opponent, the moment of the season. There are many questions to answer. It's true that losing three players in the same match is a little strange. Today in training, we noticed that players were missing. It's a motivation for the team, and we are still thinking about improving our level."

Q: What is Kvaratskhelia's state of mind? You said he is a warrior?

A: "It's very difficult to assess that when you learn this type of news. We have experience. We know the risks we take as professional players. You have to accept the negative; that's life, it's yin and yang. Throughout his career, he has been a warrior. He has to overcome this to show who he is. After his operation, we will see how he does. I have no doubt that he will come back even stronger."

Q: Lyon are leaders and three teams have 14 points. How important is this match?

A: "We are still in a high position in the league. We have shown we can improve our results: three or four weeks ago, we were far behind. From this Monday, we can go for the three points and take first place. It is important for us to be as high as possible. It motivates us to play against this Lyon side of Fonseca. We remember they won at the Parc last year. We have to show that we are ready for every match and show our strength. We are motivated before playing against Lyon."

Q: Do you expect your players to take fewer risks to avoid getting injured?

A: "We go slowly; we play like that, without pressing... No, no! What matters is that we are a family. We share many moments, and the most important moment is when we suffer. High-level competition is like that. Nothing. We value the moments when you can train with the team; that's very positive. When you're healthy and can live every day, that is very positive. We value that. After that, you have to see that we are the same team with and without injuries. As a collective, we are even stronger no matter who is injured. We showed it in the last match: we played without the Ballon d'Or Dembélé, without our captain Marquinhos, and without Kvara, one of our most important players. Yet we played in the best way; that is our strength!"

Q: Can Désiré Doué take on even more importance given the current injuries in attack?

A: "No, no! Fortunately, Désiré Doué is intelligent and does what he does: namely, give everything in every match. Doué doesn't have to show anything special. He has to do what he does when the other players are there. It's very nice for cinema, for films, but not for us! The important thing is that our players stay focused on what they do well. We must not change anything, as usual."

Q: You said you don't like crazy matches. Yet even in those matches, your team seems in control...

A: "It's true, I don't like not having that control. But we can play at being crazy. I don't like it. We are strong in that atmosphere, it's true, and no matter the opponent. But if you have control, it's easier to get through the match. We are strong in both atmospheres. We seek to control that. I like this question because we seek to control many things, including emotions. We don't waste time talking to the referee because you can lose a match if you get distracted. We seek to master these small details, but you have to repeat them to be even better."

Q: The club organized a gesture for Pink October. What does that represent for you?

A: "It's important to value what we have every day. The club has been decisive because we take responsibility for many things. The club, the foundation... As a coach and as a team, we seek to help those who are suffering. We think about enjoying and valuing that. We want to help as much as possible with this gesture; it's very positive, and we are happy to be here."