Luis Enrique believes that the Ligue 1 collision of Paris Saint-Germain this Saturday with Lille is the ideal preparation for their Champions League-equal game with Liverpool next week.
After 15th in the new classification of 36 teams, PSG Brest Opzij in the Play-Off Knock-Rondonde to reach the last 16 of Europe's Elite competition.
Their reward was a meeting with the side of Arne Slot, who was on top of the Premier League with 13 points and also ended at the top of the first phase of the Champions League.
But Lille, who automatically qualified for the Champions League last 16 after ending in the top eight of the competition, will be a strict test this Saturday.
In all competitions, PSG has lost one of their last 28 home games against Lille (W19 D8), and Luis Enrique said there were similarities between Les Dogues and Liverpool.
“I think there are similar things between Lille and Liverpool, things, especially defensive, that can come close. It is a good match for us,” Luis Enrique said reporters.
“Lille is a very good team. The team (PSG) is very motivated to show that we can play against everyone …
“The game is a big test for the players who want to play against Liverpool. It is a great rival (Lille) with a playing style and actions that are similar to those of Liverpool.
“If you are well prepared, there is no such thing as fatigue.”
πππ±π πππ¦π
Lille OSC1/03 – 9:05
-Paris Saint-Germain (@psg_englait) 27 February 2025
PSG is 13 points clearly on the Ligue 1 -top, after they have not lost any of their first 23 league matches. Indeed, they are the fourth team that remains unbeaten at this stage in 1985-86 and 2015-16 and Nantes in 1994-95.
But they are confronted with a hectic series of matches in March and play five games for 16 days, including their first and second leg collisions with Liverpool in the Champions League.
The Parisiens are also confronted with humble Rennes for a top-of-the-table encounter with Marseille, but Luis Enrique said that he and his players had the task.
“It is sometimes very important to arrange the minutes and the intensity of these matches and not only the minutes of the matches, but also what kind of match has been played,” said Luis Enrique.
“I think we are in good condition. We spread the minutes very well, so I think that's great.
“We have all the players available, so that means I can choose them all and they are all ready. And that is something I am happy with.”
The Spaniard added that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who joined Napoli during the January transfer window, adapted to life in the French capital.
Kvaratskhelia has achieved five target involvement (two goals, three assists) in all competitions since he made the switch to PSG.
Since his debut in Ligue 1 on January 25, he has indeed created more opportunities (12) than one of his PSG teammates, while only Ousmane Dembele (13) has completed more dribbles than Kvaratskhelia (12).
“Just like we did with (Lucas) Beraldo last year, we give him the information,” said Luis Enrique.
“That comes with training and competitions. When you recruit a player at this level, he is an intelligent player who knows how to adapt to the way the game is played.
“It seems to me that we give him a lot of space to adjust. We try to respect him and get the most out of his qualities.”
Comments