It’s a Luis Enrique satisfied with the result but who really didn’t digest the first 25 minutes who was at a press conference after PSG/Milan AC (3-0). If the PSG coach praised the Zaire-Emery or Vitinha matches, he also praised the overall defensive performance but has a taste of unfinished business with this complicated start to the match. Here are his comments in full.
The start of the match was rather in favor of Milan, but Paris was able to reverse the trend. Was it the first goal that changed everything?
“Who asked this question?” (Dominique Séverac from Le Parisien points to himself) Bravo! The first 20-25 minutes were in Milan’s favor, without a doubt. They pressed us well, we made a lot of mistakes in defense and when we got off the ball. This generated a lack of confidence which weighed heavily on us at the start of the match. Kylian’s (Mbappé) goal reassured us and we managed the rest of the first period better, but not better than Milan nonetheless. However, we were a different team in the second half. With more confidence, more pressure and projection. Ous’ (Dembélé) goal was very beautiful, but unfortunately was not accepted. We were better in the second half, with more chances and goals scored. »
Warren Zaire-Emery was voted man of this Champions League match at just 17 years old. Does it continue to surprise you? This evening, he was observed by the coach of the France team, Didier Deschamps. Does he already have his place in A?
“Warren is a surprising player for his 17 years: he does everything well”
“It’s the work of Didier Deschamps. Warren is a surprising player for his 17 years. He does everything well, attacks, defends, is aggressive, has good vision. He scores goals and makes assists. This is the perfect example for all young people in Paris who want to one day become a PSG player. I am very happy with his performances and his level from match to match. »
Can you explain to us the hybrid role that Vitinha occupies, between the left side and the axis?
“It’s not easy to explain what Vitinha does. It depends on where the ball is and also the position of Kylian (Mbappé). Depending on these two elements, Viti will move. Viti’s great quality is that when he has the ball – and he asks for it a lot – he rarely loses it. He has great physical capacity. He can play central midfield or on the wing and we use him in both positions. He played a very complete match. I am very satisfied with him. »
We knew that Milan was going to attack on the left with Theo Hernandez and Leao. We have seen a lot of Ousmane Dembélé trying to bring Hernandez back into the line. Was this an instruction?
“We analyzed Milan, as they did with us. We identified the strength of their left side, which is very important in their game, like our right side. We changed our system to a 4-4-2 with Ousmane in charge of Theo (Hernandez) and Hakimi on Leão. Above all, we tried to generate as much danger as possible. I thought the team was very good defensively despite our poor first 25 minutes. We remained serious defensively and solid despite our difficulties. Scoring the first goal changed the game and gave us time to breathe. »
We have the impression after this match of having witnessed a very collective victory. Is this satisfying for you?
“The fact that the public thinks that their team is brave, I like that, yes”
” For me it is the same. I’m just happy with the victory. This is perhaps more important for the supporters, who prefer to see their team in control. We played our match. We tried to dominate Milan and will try to do so again away from our home crowd for the second leg. The fact that the public thinks their team is brave, I like that, yes. »
During the meeting, we saw you address several times to Marquinhos and Manuel Ugarte in particular. What did you tell them?
“All coaches want everything to be perfect. But this is not possible, because players are not machines. When I spoke to Manu (Ugarte), I mentioned his pivotal position in the middle, which is vital for us. I wanted to correct things, like with Marqui and Milan (Skriniar), and their heading. In fact, like all coaches, I am constantly correcting things. It all depends on the match situations. We were much better in the second half, so I was calmer. »
Do you think that Paris put in its best performance since the start of the season?
“The result is very positive but it does not reflect what happened in the first 25 minutes”
” No. Milan were better than us during the first 25 minutes, I remind you. The result is very positive and I take it, but it does not reflect what happened in the first 25 minutes. We were lucky that our defensive performance allowed us to resist Milan. But the best part is the result. If they had opened the brand, our confidence would have greatly diminished afterwards. Our goal changed everything and explains this result which could also have been very different. »
How do you look after these first three Champions League matches. Was the disappointment at Newcastle erased (1-4)?
“I was surprised you didn’t bring up that Newcastle game earlier. I haven’t forgotten it, no. I remember it well and I don’t want to forget it. But in this death group, the teams are now at 6, 4, 4 and 2 points. Everyone can qualify until the end. We all want to be as high as possible. Nothing special. »
In what state of mind will you approach the match in Milan in two weeks, against a very motivated team after their defeat here this evening?
“For us, playing this match in Milan will be difficult”
“I think for us playing this match in Milan will be difficult. They are in more difficulty than us but we will try to play our game, as usual. We can be even better and we must. We have to be the same team home and away. It’s my goal. »