Luis Enrique: Lens-PSG clash a french football celebration

Just three days after their crucial 1-0 victory over Brest, which virtually guaranteed their 14th French league title, PSG is on the verge of a formal coronation. The Champions League finalists are set to visit their closest rivals, Racing Club de Lens, on Wednesday evening (9 PM) for a rescheduled match from Ligue 1’s 29th round. A draw or a win in this game would officially secure their championship, given their current six-point lead.

During his press briefing on Tuesday, Luis Enrique conveyed his desire to fully embrace this fixture, characterizing it as a grand festival for French football. The Spanish tactician also took the opportunity to commend Pierre Sage, who was honored as the season’s best coach at Monday’s UNFP Trophies.

Could this match against Lens serve as a preparation for the Champions League final for key players, or do you plan to rotate the squad extensively, similar to the Brest game?

LUIS ENRIQUE. Both teams find themselves in comparable situations: we are preparing for the Champions League final on the 30th, and Lens has the Coupe de France final on the 22nd. The playing time for tomorrow’s match will vary, as we need to consider individual player data. I believe Pierre Sage will approach it similarly to me, and we should all savor tomorrow’s game. It’s truly a celebration for French football! We anticipate a highly entertaining match where we will aim to showcase our capabilities.

Did you expect Lens to pose such a challenge this season?

We have consistently highlighted Lens’s remarkable season. Nobody, at the start of the campaign, could have predicted their incredible journey. This is the first time since my arrival that a team has truly challenged us, and it served as a great motivation. They absolutely deserve their Champions League spot. Congratulations to them. Tomorrow, we look forward to enjoying a top-tier match against a Champions League-caliber opponent. My congratulations also extend to Pierre Sage for his team’s exceptional style of play.

“We will demonstrate the kind of team we are”

Is it problematic not to have any matches during the thirteen days between the final Ligue 1 fixture and the Champions League final?

Effective management of both upcoming matches is crucial. This game against Lens follows the Brest match by just three days. We have players recovering from injuries, and some have played consecutive games. We will manage each player individually, and we will demonstrate our team’s character and ambition. Every time we wear this jersey, it comes with a significant responsibility. I view this game as a festive occasion in one of France’s finest stadiums. We are highly motivated! This is the optimal preparation for the Champions League final. We will prepare thoroughly and aim to play an internal scrimmage a weekend before the final, which will constitute our training load. I am not concerned. When your goal is to reach the final, whether you have a month or a day of rest, it won’t be an issue; you will be ready!

Why were you not present at the UNFP Trophies on Monday?

I typically do not attend these kinds of events. I prefer to stay at home, dedicating my time to studying Arsenal. I am, however, delighted to see PSG players being recognized; it is well-deserved. Those who won truly earned their accolades. Congratulations to Pierre Sage; he absolutely merits the award for the season’s best coach. What he has achieved is simply incredible.

“Luis Enrique is always proud of himself”

Éric Roy and Pierre Sage have praised your team’s season. Are you touched to see such support for PSG from French football?

This is extremely positive. Éric Roy has always spoken highly of us, and he is a gentleman I deeply respect. He himself won the best coach title. This recognition is very encouraging. We appreciate these opinions and are pleased to receive them. It is well-deserved because we always strive to respect our opponents, including Olympique de Marseille. It’s wonderful to feel this appreciation.

How do you assess Fabián Ruiz’s return to competition?

He might appear to be a slow player, but he is actually one of the quickest! He is a distinctive player, one I particularly admire. He provides both the physical and technical capacity to execute plays with and without the ball. He was sidelined for almost three months, and upon his return, he has contributed immensely. I am very happy to have him available. We now have almost all our players fit, which is a significant positive.

Is the Luis Enrique who arrived in 2023 proud of the Luis Enrique of 2026?

Luis Enrique is always proud of himself, especially when I face setbacks. I have experienced many defeats, but I am very proud of what I represent, because I represent my family. And my family is everything to me.