Unless there are any last minute surprises, there will be no new blood in the PSG squad during the final hours of the winter transfer window.
This is what Luis Enrique suggested this Friday noon at a press conference.
Finding the path to success again and a face a little more convincing than that displayed last weekend, that is above all what obsesses the mind of the Spanish technician.
Five days after the lackluster draw conceded against Brest at the Parc des Princes (2-2), the championship leader goes to Strasbourg this Friday evening with the hope of regaining some certainty in the game. A goal that he will have to reach without Achraf Hakimi, eliminated from the African Cup of Nations with Morocco but left to rest, and Bradley Barcola, the in-form man suspended after his expulsion last Sunday.
How do you keep your bearings in the game with the number of rotations you make?
LUIS ENRIQUE.
The coaches all have a different method.
I like to have a good rotation so that everyone feels integrated into the team and its objectives.
When there are few matches, it is difficult to keep the players motivated without giving them playing time. My experience tells me that having all the players ready and motivated is more positive.
We saw Randal Kolo Muani show no emotion after the last goals he scored.
Do you know if he is happy at PSG?
Honestly, I didn't see the way he celebrated his goals, it's something personal.
I am very happy that he is on the team.
He can play as a number 9 and in both lanes.
For me, he has the perfect attitude.
I'm happy to have it.
But, I don't pay attention to the way players celebrate their goals.
We felt your players were behind on an athletic level against Brest.
Two weeks before the match against Real Sociedad, do you feel, as you announced in December, that your team is stronger?
I'm a coach who generally says what he thinks, and if I say the team can improve, it's not just physically.
After rewatching the match, I see that the opponent took the ball, we lost a lot... We must take into account that we faced a very good opponent, who could very well have won.
It's true that we had difficulty pressing, but it's not just a physical problem.
“Danilo is one of those essential players in a squad”
How to make sure you're ready before Real Sociedad?
We all know the path: we have to win the matches and prepare ourselves for one of the best possible ends to the season.
There, it's Strasbourg, a well-prepared team, which hasn't lost for a while.
We have to improve our performances, our performances, now that we are playing again every three days.
It’s the rhythm we like.
We have to take the three points, that’s what’s important.
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Has Kylian Mbappé announced his decision to stay at PSG?
No.
(He laughs and calls out to the translator)
I could have translated that myself.
Danilo became more and more important as the weeks went by.
What does he bring on and off the field?
He's a player that I know very well because we often faced Portugal with the Spanish selection.
He is a complete player, important in a squad.
He is very professional, has values... He is one of those essential players in a squad, as he always plays at his best level.
It’s great to have him in the squad.
Your team performs less well against low blocks.
What are the areas for progress in this sector?
This is the most difficult phase in football, facing an opponent who is withdrawn, very low.
There are few spaces, little time.
But we worked a lot on that to be effective with movements without the ball.
Skriniar and Kimpembe being injured, are you expecting reinforcement in central defense?
I don't have my watch but the transfer window ends very soon.
Unless Luis Campos gives us a last minute surprise, I don't think so.
The club is still working to be ready, but I don't think so.
“Strasbourg ticks all the boxes to make the match interesting and of a good standard.
We have to be ready.
»
Does the fact that Nordi Mukiele has played very little so far mean that you are not counting on him?
Nordi played very little, it's true.
What will happen in the future?
I don't know.
It’s obvious that if anyone can change his situation, it’s me.
Sometimes it happens that players who did not play become indisputable starters.
It happened to me.
I like to rotate players but there is not room for everyone.
I don't complain about any player.
I remain open about using players according to my ideas.
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At what point do you make the decision to include young players in training and matches?
For me to be able to use the U 19s, there is first work done by the club.
We saw it with Warren and Ethan, if the players have the potential, the level, I ask them to come and participate in the sessions.
The training of the pros is different from that of the young people.
Now is a good time to evaluate them.
At the moment, we have three with Zague, Mayulu and Ethan Mbappé.
They train with us, we see their evolution since they trained with us.
Then we'll see if they have time.
They can already help us and have already done so.
What is your opinion of Strasbourg, which seems to have found the right fuel?
They were a little uncertain at the start, but they are on a good dynamic, one of the best in the championship.
It's been a while since they lost.
They fill all the boxes to make the match interesting and of a good level.
We have to be ready.