All the ingredients of a classic Paris Saint-Germain press conference were gathered this Tuesday in Poissy, on the eve of the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League against FC Barcelona. From the first question, Luis Enrique was invited to decipher the state of form of Kylian Mbappé, (very) regularly spared in recent weeks.
After a sneer, the Parisian coach, as expected, refocused the exchange with the media: “You are talking to me about a player but I prefer to speak from a collective point of view and not an individual point of view. As a group, we are in a great state of mind and I think we are entering this match in a very good period. »
This bonus to group strength was the common thread of the day’s media interventions by the former Barça coach, but also by the faithful soldier Danilo Pereira, sent to the microphones before him. “I feel that the pressure is different for this meeting but the coach gives us serenity and calm,” announced the versatile Portuguese international, who could start on Wednesday in central defense. It’s important for a match like this: we have to be calm, calm, and just think about the game.”
“The state of mind is higher”
If Luis Enrique was keen to ensure that he represented the footballing spirit of Barça better than Xavi (“and this is not an opinion”), it is of course this group mental approach that his contribution seems most striking. this season – although we will know more on this point within a week. Danilo Pereira is visibly convinced of this, even before this exciting double European clash.
“ What has changed this year? I think Luis Enrique gives everyone the chance to play, to show themselves. This is what we players want. The state of mind is higher, it shows in training and in matches. Even when things aren’t going very well, we try every day to pick up our heads and continue. There, we know that we have to eliminate a big team but we are calm. We must arrive at this match with a lot of serenity. This is how we can do great things. When we have this state of mind, we are closer to victory. » »
“I prefer it when we don’t talk too much”
Said like that, PSG could have thought about it for many seasons, right? Asked about this poorly negotiated pressure in hot moments, which has so often ruined Parisian hopes in the Champions League, Luis Enrique was also clear this Tuesday: “I hope that our ambition will be greater than the pressure . Pressure is not for us. We are very excited to play at our level and qualify. »
Forget the bling-bling profiles like Neymar, Danilo Pereira details the club’s a priori more humble approach for such a deadline: “I prefer when we don’t talk too much before matches. The most important thing is to focus on the tactics and the coach’s requests. » PSG supporters will quickly be fixed on the real benefits of this new Luis Enrique era.