On September 10 (Beijing time/CEST), in the first matchday of the UEFA Champions League group stage, PSG defeated SK Slovan Bratislava 6-1. After the match, PSG head coach Luis Enrique attended a press conference.

Do you think the Champions League can help PSG rediscover their identity?

Luis Enrique: "I think participating in this competition is always special, especially playing at Parc des Princes and reconnecting with our fans. We saw the support they gave the team today, and we also saw the various tifos they created. Today, the connection between the players, the team, and the fans—as is typical in Champions League matches—was extraordinary. I'm very pleased, especially because I saw the team's performance with the ball throughout the match."

Dembélé has opened his goal tally this season with 2 goals and 2 assists. You gave him rest earlier. Do you feel he needs to regain his form to start the season strong? How do you evaluate Dembélé's performance today?

Luis Enrique: "This is the Dembélé we know, the Dembélé we've had over the last three seasons. When you see him creating chances, pressing, and showing everyone the level we need to help the team, it's truly very satisfying. I'm very happy for him. I think he played an outstanding match. He doesn't need more playing time because we need to gradually build up his physical condition. Watching a player like this is truly exceptional—and I say this not just as a coach, but also as a football fan."

Another player who played exceptionally well was Ferran Torres, who showed the characteristics of a pure striker. Is this what you expected from him?

Luis Enrique: "I don't think anyone expected him to perform like this. He will have some matches where he doesn't score. But today, I think thanks to our pressing rhythm and the counter-pressing we applied, we created many chances. We were able to break down their defense and create numerous opportunities. Today, our efficiency was very high, which is very important for us and helped us start this competition well."

I'd like to talk again about Doué's start and performance. As a coach, what aspects of his development currently satisfy you? We saw him perform well as a substitute against Lille, and he showed some very interesting things when he came off the bench early this season. Was starting him today also a reward?

Luis Enrique: "Yes, being in the starting eleven is a reward for all players. Doué is only 18 years old, and it's remarkable that he can play like this. But we already knew him before he joined us. We're not rushing him. He will get playing time whenever we have the opportunity, because we know his abilities. Today, I don't want to single out just one player, because the performance of the entire team and all the substitutes is what matters most."

Of course, the season is still early and the road is long. But after three consecutive matches without a win, besides the victory itself, is tonight's high finishing efficiency also important in boosting the confidence of the entire team?

Luis Enrique: "Confidence is not something that's easy to gain. It's always difficult when you can't get the results you want. You worry when we haven't won in three matches, but I think our performance in those matches was acceptable. Football is truly remarkable. We were worried because we hadn't won in three matches, and that's the reality. We have to accept the high demands placed on this club from outside. We enjoy this pressure. We like starting competitions. We like trying to raise our level. Now, we're clearly thinking about Sunday's match against Brest."

When Ferran Torres scored his second goal, we saw Akliouche bringing the ball forward from deep. He showed his ball-carrying ability and his long runs when he played for Monaco against PSG here last season. How do you evaluate his performance? How are his runs helping the team in dynamic attacks?

Luis Enrique: "We've been following Akliouche's performances for over a year. He's a player we believed had everything needed to join this club. This year, we had the opportunity to sign him, and I think he's one of the fastest to adapt to our demands, because maintaining continuity in play, showing excellent ability with the ball, and having strong defensive abilities are his characteristics. For a player with elite-level ability on the ball, it's rare to also have defensive abilities like his. He also makes forward runs. I'm very satisfied with everything he's shown every time he plays. That's why he's getting so much playing time."

Tonight, Kvaratskhelia and Doué didn't get a single minute of playing time. This is quite rare in a Champions League match. What's the reason? Does this mean you'll manage playing time more comprehensively this season?

Luis Enrique: "Only one person can decide who plays in this match, and that's me. I try to find the best players for this specific game. But Kvaratskhelia and Doué are both outstanding players. For me, Kvaratskhelia is a player who currently has the ability to win the Ballon d'Or. The same applies to Ousmane Dembélé, Vitinha, or Fabián. For me as a coach, this is truly remarkable, and the same applies to our fans. Today, when they chant 'Dembélé, Ballon d'Or! Dembélé, Ballon d'Or!', perhaps in the future we'll hear them singing songs like that for other PSG players. And for a team to have more players on the 30-man Ballon d'Or shortlist than any other team, I think that's motivation for us. And that's what PSG represented today."

In the pre-match press conference, you emphasized that the team had a very poor start in terms of points. So tonight, can we talk about PSG's resurgence? In the first matchday of the Champions League, did you find what you were looking for before?

Luis Enrique: "At that time, I said our results in terms of points were very poor. But that had nothing to do with what we deserved. But that's how football is, and we have to accept it. But from the first days, I said I was satisfied with everything I saw, especially in training sessions. And today, we improved some things that I think are very important. When you have players of this level and you pay more attention to certain details, we can, like today, show stronger match-deciding ability when we control the ball, as usual. And without the ball, our performance was even better."

This was certainly a very difficult match for SK Slovan Bratislava, but how do you evaluate them as opponents? What's your opinion on Y. Touré's first Champions League match as a coach?

Luis Enrique: "It must be very difficult for them to play away against the last two Champions League champions. I liked the way they tried to play. I appreciate their style of play. Of course, we studied them carefully, and I have to say I really liked the way they tried to play. Today wasn't their best day, because we showed everyone that when we reach this level of understanding, it will be very difficult for opponents to play against us. No matter who the opponent is, as long as we can press at this level, as long as we can return to this performance, any opponent will find it difficult.

Today was difficult for them, but I have to say that the approach they tried to implement could achieve positive results in this competition. I think they'll perform better in their upcoming matches. As for Y. Touré, this is his first time coaching. I like the way he communicates with the players and with the team. He has everything needed to become a coach, because he has rich experience as a player. Now he's a coach, and things will be a bit different, but he has the ability to become a great coach."

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

Situs web AF kini hadir! Lihat berita lengkap, komentar, detail pertandingan, dan statistik di komputer Anda. Kunjungi: www.allfootballapp.com