Luis Enrique, PSG’s coach, rubbished all notions of an easy final against Chelsea in the Club Football World Cup.
“Anyone who thinks this match will be a formality doesn’t know anything about football. I’ve analyzed this Chelsea team; they won the Conference League. I really like Enzo Maresca; he likes to come from behind, press, attack; they’re a very complete team. It’s not going to be easy. We’re going to approach this match giving 100%. It’s important to be aware of how difficult the match will be. I like the way they play. There are a lot of individuals, but when they have to defend, they know how to apply pressure. I think it will be a close match. Physically, they are very strong too. We are similar teams in the main aspects of the game. We are ready, they are ready. They won the Conference League, we won the Champions League,” Enrique said a day before the final.
This is a PSG team without the big names like Messi and co, and the coach was asked whether it’s a coincidence that they won the Champions League without big stars.
“A team of 11 stars, that’s football. That’s what we’re lucky to have now. Or rather 12, 13, 14, 15… It’s a commitment we made with the president [Nasser al-Khelaïfi], the sporting management and me. That the real star is the team, a team in which the supporters identify. Since my first day in Paris, that’s something we’ve achieved. We’re going to lose at one point or another but the path is clear for us,” Enrique said.
Subsequently, he was asked the thought that’s circulating in many a fan’s mind: would he agree that he, Enrique, is the real star of PSG? “Star, absolutely not. I didn’t want to be a star as a player, and I’m not a star as a coach. I do my job. I almost feel more comfortable when things aren’t going well. It’s great when things are going well; we make people happy. I know that a coach is good or bad depending on the results; that’s the rule of the game. I accept that I’ve been heavily criticized, but criticism motivates me more than praise. Is this my best season as a coach? Maybe, but for that, we’ll have to win tomorrow. The most important thing is to finish this match giving 100%.”
The coach was also asked about Ousmane Dembele’s chances at winning the Ballon d’Or and is the candidate for the award for the best coach. “I don’t believe in individual awards, even less so for a coach. The team is always above individuals. And PSG is, I think, a benchmark for what we try to convey. Yes, Ousmane was the best player individually, but above all because his goals (35 in all competitions) and assists (16) helped PSG win.”
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
