Parisians’ Goalkeeping Conundrum: Enrique’s Confidence Amidst Competition
Paris Saint-Germain’s manager, Luis Enrique, has addressed the media ahead of the team’s upcoming fixture against FC Metz, fielding questions on a range of pressing issues. Among the most prominent is the club’s goalkeeping situation. Enrique expressed his unqualified satisfaction with the current setup, stating, “The mentality and the way the three goalkeepers train is very good. I don’t know what will happen in the future, but I am very happy to have three goalkeepers of a very high level.” This indicates a clear absence of a fixed hierarchy in the goalkeeping department, but a strong sense of contentment with the mindset and quality of the players available.
Penalties and Precision: Tackling the Spot-Kick Struggle
The persistent issue of missed penalties from the spot was another topic brought to the fore. Luis Enrique responded with a characteristic blend of humour and resolute pragmatism. “I know the stats because you remind me all the time… especially when they are negative,” he quipped. He then offered a straightforward defence of those who step up to take the kicks: “Yes, we have missed penalties. It’s normal — the ones who miss are the ones who take them.”
The Spanish coach elaborated on the team’s approach to penalties, highlighting that the responsibility isn’t confined to a single designated specialist. He listed several players who are capable of taking penalties, including Vitinha, Dembélé, Doué, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Ramos, Hakimi, and Lee. “There may not be a true specialist, but we have many players who can take them,” Enrique explained. He acknowledged the current minor struggles but remained confident in his squad’s ability to overcome this hurdle. “At the moment there are small problems, but we will overcome this thanks to the quality of my players.”
Injury Woes and Strategic Rotation: Navigating a Demanding Season
In response to criticisms regarding the team’s performances, Luis Enrique staunchly defended his squad’s efforts. He drew a parallel to a previous match, remarking, “You want us to play like last year, but what you want is impossible. We were losing 2–0 after 20 minutes and we won. We played in an incredible way. I am very happy with what I saw.” This was a clear nod to the remarkable comeback victory against AS Monaco, underscoring the team’s resilience and fighting spirit.
The manager also touched upon the delicate balance of player rotation, a strategy he ideally wishes to implement more frequently. “Every time he plays, he is good,” he stated, referring to a key player. “I would like to give Vitinha and Warren (Zaïre-Emery) some rest, but I can’t.” He attributed this limitation directly to the significant number of injuries the team has sustained throughout the season. “What changed my mindset this year is the number of injuries. I can’t rotate many players.”
Regarding the recent injury to Ousmane Dembélé, Enrique emphasised a cautious approach. “It was a knock. We have the mentality of taking no risks with players. Injuries are part of football.”
Focus on Metz and the Title Race
With the European stage looming, the immediate priority remains the domestic league. Enrique stressed the importance of the upcoming match against Metz. “We will approach the Metz match for what it is — a very important game. We must put pressure on Lens and win the three points.” He also cautioned against complacency, noting, “I don’t remember a match against the bottom team that was easy.” The overarching message is clear: the team must secure maximum points, manage player fatigue prudently, and maintain unwavering vigilance in all their upcoming fixtures.
