After attacking the year 2024 with three victories in as many matches, PSG travels to Orléans this Saturday (8:45 p.m.) to do battle with local club National in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France.
This match, where the Parisians are the undisputed favorites, will perhaps allow Luis Enrique to revive certain elements lacking playing time. The Parisian coach is especially concerned about the state of the pitch as a new pitch comes has just been placed at the Stade de la Source and the snow has fallen in recent days.
How will you manage your team composition?
LUIS ENRIQUE.
It's a strange and different situation.
If all the circumstances surrounding the match are normal, then yes I will have the possibility of giving opportunities or playing time to the younger players.
But, if I think back to my experience in Clermont (Editor's note: September 30) where the pitch was not good, I will only decide who is going to play and how when I see the state of the pitch.
I hope it will be in good condition.
I have doubts.
Does it seem suitable for playing good football?
Not only that, but also so that there is no physical risk for the players.
We must not take risks, because we normally take enough risks.
We want to win the Coupe de France, it's a goal but our opponent will be determined and we will have to be wary of them.
I am concerned about the physical integrity of the players, whether they are from PSG or Orléans.
In Clermont, I repeat, the pitch was not in optimal conditions for playing.
There was a risk for the players and I am concerned about that.
Read alsoClermont-PSG (0-0): “The ball jumped like a rabbit”, laments Luis Enrique, referring to the state of the pitch
What do you know about Orléans?
This is a team that is two divisions below us, professional.
She is not doing very well in the championship (12th), but she was able to get through the previous rounds.
It is well structured, takes up space well.
I think we will have more of the ball, but we will have to be wary of counterplay.
We love this competition, but it's always very dangerous for the favorites.
We will travel with all our available players.
Ramos and Kolo Muani are the present and future of the club
What about the health of Gonçalo Ramos who, according to Record, lost a lot of weight in December due to a virus?
It's true that he lost weight.
I don't know how many kilos, but we could see him... Fortunately he's been fine for weeks.
My decisions are clear.
What I can say is that Gonçalo or Kolo Muani are very high level attackers.
I'm happy with them, I think they are the present and the future of the club.
Why are they playing less then?
I already answered.
If you want to make it funny, I remind you that in a team there are only 11 players who can play.
Does the attitude of Carlos Soler, who never hesitates to change positions, make him an example for the group?
When I see a player who is able to play well, not just play and understand when you need to control, for me it's very interesting.
We have several players who can do that and Carlos is one of them.
He prefers to play in a specific position, I know that, but he always puts his individual interests aside for the good of the team.
He is a very high level player.
I took him from the Spanish national team and there are only 23 possible players in the selection.
He can still improve, of course, but I'm very satisfied with him.
Does Bradley Barcola have his place in the French team?
I have always spoken highly of Barcola, even when he was criticized.
We all know the rules.
When you're at a big club, you're going to be criticized and conversely, when things go well, you're going to be praised.
Barcola was not the worst player after Newcastle, nor, there, the best.
It's always the same.
He has a lot of room for improvement.
Are you looking forward to Kylan Mbappé, on whom France 2 has just broadcast a report, giving his decision for his future at PSG?
I haven't seen the documentary because I don't watch TV, just football.
(He concludes in French) It’s life.