Luis Enrique dissects a frustrating draw, questions the schedule, and reveals his thoughts on key player choices and the team's faltering resilience.
After a frustrating draw conceded against Newcastle that knocked his team out of the top eight, Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique was not particularly angry in the post-match press conference, except perhaps at the schedule.
He commented on the match, believing his team should have won, but also on some bold choices like starting Safonov. Here are his complete remarks.
How do you analyze this match? Are you disappointed not to be in the top 8 in the standings in the end?
I think it was a match with a very good first half. We started the match positively, we missed a penalty, but we still created chances to score more than one goal. I think the last action at the end of the first half, where we conceded the goal, hurt us, and in the second half, we lacked a little bit of the ability to create more chances. But it was difficult because they are a physically very interesting and strong team. We knew the difficulty before the match, but I think we deserved to win, of course. Not by a lot, but we deserved a little more. That's my opinion.
If we talk about the content, and indeed, you still produce very good sequences, even if in the second period it was complicated. Last year, in your weak moments, you were very strong. Here, we have the feeling that for a few weeks, in your weak moments, you are conceding goals. You are less strong in your weak moments. How do you explain that? Is it mental? Is it physical?
No, it's the schedule. It's the wonderful group we have. If there is a team ready for the playoffs and for all the knockout rounds, it's us. That's clear. When you see and if you analyze all the matches we have played against the teams we have played, it's catastrophic, and you have to see the level of these teams (Ed: he is obviously being ironic). But, ok, we need to improve, I am the first one who thinks that. But today, again, an important player (Kvara) got injured in an action hard to judge, and after that, we will have to see tomorrow when he does the tests what his injury is.
You say it's because of the draw, but in fact, you have taken two points from the last three matches. How do you explain having taken just two points from the last three matches, knowing that on paper, these are not necessarily the most difficult opponents in your draw?
Ah, no, no. Newcastle is a Pot 4 team. You think it... (The journalist interrupts him and says it's not Barcelona or Bayern.) Ah. I think it is clear that, against the teams we have played, we can play much better and we can have better results, that's clear. But after analyzing the types of matches we have played, ok, we are here, we are ready, and we will see which teams we will play. And I repeat myself, I am very demanding with my teams. I think we can improve many things, but we have to value, we have to analyze who the majority of teams that had 13 points before starting this season are playing (Ed: he probably means tonight). You see what type of match the other teams had, and it's clear. They are such different matches.
What is positive for me is that when you always play against very high-level teams, you are ready for the next playoffs, for the next matches, if there are (knockout) matches, and if you deserve to go through. Otherwise, it's over. And if we talk about the last matches, I think today, we deserved to win; the result is very unfair, of course, but the day in Lisbon (against Sporting, 1-2), that was very undeserved.
Matvey Safonov was returning from injury, so you decided to start him tonight. Is it a choice for this specific match? Is there competition established until the end of the season? Or has he become number one? What can you tell us about the goalkeeper situation tonight?
I can't tell you anything. Words... I can't say any words or talk about any subject, but when you see my decision or my decisions, it's very clear for everyone. And I have no problem rotating goalkeepers, I don't know if I will do that, or not, but I am a coach open to demanding and asking my players to be ready at all times. But I don't know what I will do.
Yes, can we have a bit more information on Kvaratskhelia's injury? Is it the knee, the ankle?
It's the ankle. (he makes a long face) It's complicated. But I hope I'm wrong and that tomorrow we can have good news.
Without the Coupe de France in play, do you see any interest in playing this Champions League playoff? Or are you angry because your destiny was in your hands?
No, it does not frustrate me. It was an opportunity to play against a team like Newcastle. And with such a defensive level, I think we dominated them; we made them suffer. They play a different style in their league. We play a very different style, a style based on creation, occupying spaces, possession of the ball, and pressing, without a doubt. I have absolutely nothing to reproach my team for. It is clear that some players had more difficulty being at the top of their form, but that is understandable. The attitude is there, the desire is there.
We know the longer path is difficult, so if we have to take it, we will take it. And we will see if we get a French team or Qarabag; no matter who it will be, we will give our best. And I repeat, I see no one else but us as the favorite. No one.
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