It was a smiling Luis Enrique, but a bit rushed, who appeared at the press conference this Thursday on the eve of a new confrontation against Monaco, this time in Ligue 1. The Spaniard necessarily discussed this match and its importance, as well as the return of Ousmane Dembele and a few individual cases, such as those of Bradley Barcola and Warren Zaïre-Emery. Luis Enrique was also questioned about PSG's match against Chelsea next Wednesday. Here are his comments in full, transcribed by us.

Ligue 1 and the Champions League are two very different competitions. Does the match before PSG vs. Monaco tell us things about the match after? Will it give indications of PSG's current form?

"It depends. It depends above all on the opponent. But in this case, it's the same since it's Monaco. And Monaco was a Champions League team, so it's the same thing. We'll play against Monaco, and it will be like a Champions League match."

You have five days before the first leg against Chelsea and six days before the return leg. Does that mean that in an ideal world, you could play with the same players? And should you do it?

"I have to do what's best for the team. It's a constant for all coaches: we seek to find the best options for the team. And you'll be able to see after the match what was the best in my opinion."

Will you change the approach or the instructions to the players to experience a more serene match tomorrow than the previous two against Monaco?

"What I can tell you is what our mentality and our work will be during the match. What our opponents will do depends on many things. It's not a question for me. It's a question for Monaco's coach. What depends on us is seeking to play better and improve in each match to win the points because we need them."

The other subject before this Champions League match is the injured players. Ousmane Dembele is back; he participated in training this morning. How do you feel about him? Do his various minor health issues invite you to be more cautious precisely before this very important match?

"It's always good news when we have players returning (from injury) like in the case of Senny Mayulu and Ousmane Dembele. We're happy. We're waiting to see (the evolution) and to know for the next match. But it's, as usual, there's nothing new. We need to evaluate and judge exactly the physical state of each player, then analyze all that."

Bradley Barcola has nine goals this season. How do you see him in front of goal? Can the Barcola of 2026 be compared to the Dembele of 2025?

"The first thing is that it's not correct to compare players among themselves, because each player and each season are different. What I can say about Bradley is that he has had a lot of playing time, that he has played many matches and that he has played very well. He can play everywhere in attacking positions. I'm happy with what I've seen (from him), and of course, we hope and expect to see even better things. And that's what I expect from Bradley Barcola."

We're in March. We're arriving in the decisive months for PSG. First there's Monaco, then Chelsea. Do you think your team is on schedule with what you want?

"It depends. It depends. I always seek to focus on the positive things surrounding our team. At the moment, we're qualified for the Champions League, and we're waiting (to face) our next opponent. And in the league, we've had a lot of difficulties, but we're first. We know the importance of this month in continuing in the Champions League and staying at the top of our league. We're in the situation we like."

Tuesday, we were exactly 100 days from the launch of the World Cup. Are injuries a subject that lingers a bit in the players' minds, not to get injured approaching this World Cup? And you, with your staff, how do you possibly manage this problem? Do you talk about it to perhaps give more rest to certain players approaching this tournament?

"(With irony and a smile) A little bit of rest so they arrive fresh for the World Cup? Ha ha ha. (Laughter) I think we shouldn't make any statements about that. They (The players) are professionals, I'm very happy every time I'm a coach during a World Cup year because I have total confidence in my players. We would like all our players to play the World Cup. But for the moment, we must stay focused on the club and think about what's important for us, namely, winning the trophies we covet. And (much) later, of course we wish the players a very good World Cup. But for the moment, the important thing is the club."

One day, you mentioned the difficulty of finding time to do tactical training. Is it important today to do this type of training? And do you have time for it right now?

"When you play every three days, it's difficult to prepare this aspect because we're always in pre-match and post-match so we don't have time. But at the moment, and more particularly this month, it's important for us to be able to work on tactical aspects, offensive, defensive, set pieces, throw-in situations... There are many things we can and seek to improve at the moment, as we have time to work on these concepts. We're happy. It's different from what we've experienced in the past."

You spoke about the time you have available to work on upcoming matches. But do your players need more rest, like the two days you gave them at the start of the week, or more rhythm before finding the Champions League notably?

"We need to evaluate that, and it varies individually and collectively. From what I've seen and can analyze of the team, it's in very good physical condition. We've done incredible matches. When I see our statistics without the ball, it's incredible, top! I'm happy. Normally, when we encounter problems, you always look for us on the physical aspect. But for me, the mental is more important than the physical. And I'm happy with what I can see of the team."

In case of victory against Monaco, you can put Lens seven points behind. Is it an important match for the league, but also to gain confidence before the Champions League?

"We're experiencing a very different situation in the league from what we've known in recent seasons. And it's because of Lens, who are having an incredible championship. I've often said it: they deserve to be there. And for us, too, it's very motivating to have a team so close to us (in the standings). It motivates us to improve, hence the importance of tomorrow's match."

You spoke about the mental aspect. Do you feel among your players a mental fatigue after the very energy-consuming year 2025 and the 2025-26 season, which also takes a toll on their physical state?

"No. Nothing of that. You're always finding problems, but there's nothing. We're at the same point as when we won 5-0 in Marseille: the same physical and mental state. That's what I think. That's what I defend because I've seen all the daily training sessions and all the matches. I've analyzed and judged all my team's matches, and everything is normal. But during the season, there are ups and downs: you have to accept it. It's normal."

Warren Zaïre-Emery will celebrate his 20th birthday in a few days. He's the most used player. Does he impress you? And if so, in what area?

"I think we've often talked about Warren. He really represents what a titi is as you say, a real titi. Not only for what he does on the field, but also for the way he behaves off it, in his life. It's a privilege to have a player like him. He's incredible: he plays everywhere, and he has individual, technical, and physical qualities. It's a real pleasure for me to coach him. All that's missing is for him to do the press conferences (in my place) for me to marry him. (Laughter) That would be perfect. He talks less than me. I don't know if it would be a problem but if you want, I can have him come in my place… I'd be delighted!

(He gets up to leave) Alright, guys, thanks. Oh still? (He sits back down)"

You scored four goals in the last two matches against Monaco. Was the defensive aspect the main focus of work this week or not at all?

"No, not specially. We talked about many things, and we worked on small concepts. But you have to know that Monaco has many players of great individual quality. For me, their attackers are at the level closest to that of our attackers. And what I mean is that Monaco is a real team, difficult, complicated. When they have the ball, it's very difficult to defend against them. But we must improve in all aspects of the game. Regarding the defensive, I think we've improved compared to last year. I'm talking in statistical terms but also of what I feel when I see my team play.

(He wants to leave again) Questions still? But what's happening?

(To the next journalist jokingly) Be careful."

(With a smile) I'm very careful, always. Concerning the mental aspect you've talked a lot about, we remember what happened in the final against Chelsea with that somewhat heated end of the match during the Club World Cup. Do you agree that Chelsea is the team that has bothered PSG the most mentally since you arrived at the club?

"No, it's just different. And that's why I say there's no feeling of revenge because they're different competitions. That final match took place six or nine months ago [July 13, 2025], and that's it. What's important is to prepare for the match as best as possible. It will be a difficult opponent when we think back to that result, ok. But we're ready to play that match, or rather, this direct elimination double confrontation. And it will be very different from what we played last summer. Nothing to do.

(He gets up quickly) Oh, it's finished, good. I'm running…"

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