On September 5, Beijing time (CEST), in Ligue 1 Matchday 3, PSG lost 1-2 to Monaco. After the match, PSG manager Enrique attended the press conference.

You told the broadcaster that PSG should have won the match. Does that mean you're not worried about tonight's defeat?

Enrique: "Should PSG have won? Of course! And in my opinion, we absolutely deserved to win, and by quite a large margin. That's my view. I believe it because I watched the game, and it's one of those typical games that happen every season: you play clearly better than your opponent, create many chances, far more than the opponent, but their goalkeeper becomes the best player on the pitch.

If you look at the last three years, it's a bit like our first season against Newcastle (1-1), and I also remember the second season against Atlético Madrid (1-2), where the situation was more or less the same. And last season against Sporting CP, and two years ago against Liverpool.

These are the types of games where you've done everything you could and, in terms of playing quality and number of chances created, you deserved to win. But football doesn't count how many chances you create; it only counts how many goals you score.

And on that point, the most important one, we lost. However, I'm satisfied with my team. This is a typical way we can lose a game when luck isn't on our side, and we have to accept it. If you want to play for PSG, then you already know that normally we can lose games this way."

Since the start of this Ligue 1 season, you've conceded 6 goals, 7 if we include the French Super Cup, and 8 if we include the European Super Cup. Should these defensive problems be a concern?

Enrique: "No, there's no need to worry. Honestly, I'm saying this with complete sincerity. Because it's a special phase right now where the opponent takes a shot, bang, and the ball goes in.

How many shots did Monaco have today? Do you know? Two. Clearly, only two! How many goals did they score? Two. Well, that situation is not common. Throughout the season, we'll see that these situations eventually reach a balance. At the end of the season, each team will have the points they deserve based on their performance.

I also have to speak about Monaco; I liked how they played today. They defended very well and are currently in first place, having won all their games. Congratulations to them and to Filipe—he's a very good coach. But regarding today's game, I think we clearly deserved to win."

Digne wasn't in the squad list. Can you explain why? What more does he need to do, or how much better does he need to perform, to get back into the team?

Enrique: "That will be a common situation this season. In each match, there will be three players who won't be in the squad, not counting those already preparing for the game. We have to get used to some important players not being in the squad list.

There's nothing particularly important about it. I'm very happy with him, and I know him very well. It's just that, nothing more. It will be like this throughout the season, just rotating different players in each game."

The club announced your contract extension. What do you have to say about it?

Enrique: "Now is not the best time to talk about it. But I can say that this is the first time in my career—and I'm already an old coach—that I'm able to coach for a fourth season at the same club.

This shows the club's confidence in me, especially from the president and the sporting director, Luis Campos. And my motivation now is even greater than in my first year. That's strange for me, and I hope to stay in Paris for a long time. But to stay in Paris for a long time, you have to deserve that confidence. That's my motivation today, and it's what drives me to continue throughout the season when facing all the negative factors that may appear. I'm very happy and hope to meet those requirements."

We just talked about Digne, who wasn't in the squad. Dembélé returned and was on the bench today. Was that for physical reasons? Does he need to prove himself more to get back into the starting lineup?

Enrique: "Clearly, each player's situation is different. Dembélé made a big effort to play in two Super Cups. After that, he had a bit of rest, and from that point on, we gradually increased his playing time. I think he played around 20 to 25 minutes today and performed very well. We're very happy to see him back, and the upcoming matches will follow this pattern."

Going back to defense, what aspects does the team need to improve? Do your players need to be more committed defensively, perhaps more actively involved, to avoid conceding these goals? After all, the team has conceded 6 goals in three league matches, which isn't the usual defensive standard the team has shown since you started coaching PSG.

Enrique: "But what I want to convey to you is that you can't just look at results. You should analyze Monaco's expected goals (xG) in this match. Expected goals are the chances you create and the number of goals you should have scored based on those chances. What was Monaco's xG? Do you know?"

(The reporter indicated they knew Monaco's xG was 0 at halftime.)

Ah yes, 0... We can't completely limit the opponent so they can't do anything, but that's not how football works. Maybe in other sports you can do that, but not in football. Today, our pressing was excellent, much better than in many games where we didn't concede goals. But today, we were unlucky, or luck wasn't on our side, which is why you're asking me these questions.

The defensive performance I saw today was of the highest level, especially against a very good team like Monaco. The result doesn't erase all the good things we did. Today, I'm as disappointed as our fans. They supported the team throughout the match and, in my opinion, we clearly deserved to win. But we lost, and we didn't even get a draw. It's incredible. But that's football. That's why football is so fascinating and why sometimes it's so unfair. But today, Monaco is very happy. Did they deserve to win? Well. They were more efficient than us. But they know that if they faced us ten times the same way as today, we'd win 8, draw 1, and lose this one. That's the difference."

Today we're talking about the league, but the Champions League is about to start, and on January 7 you'll face Galatasaray. In 2002, as a Barcelona player, you eliminated Galatasaray. Now, as a coach, this will be the first time you'll face Galatasaray as a head coach. How do you assess this team and this match?

Enrique: "(Sighs) Listen, I haven't analyzed Galatasaray yet. We know some of their players, we know their strengths, and we know their new stadium. But that's it. 2002? Was television in black and white back then? Was there television that year? I don't know. But I remember a very cherished memory for me: I scored my 100th goal for Barcelona at Galatasaray's stadium. Not bad!"

PSG enters this phase seven points behind the Ligue 1 leader, which is quite rare. Does this point difference concern you, or does it become motivation?

Enrique: "Honestly, I think that's incredible motivation for my players, the team, and the whole club. If you want to bet on who will eventually be the league champion, we can bet. But I won't say anything. However, for us, this is motivation. Seven points behind? Well. We'll try to overturn that as quickly as possible."

Traduzido por IA.

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