Luis Enrique was all smiles after PSG’s 2-1 victory at the Vélodrome. Despite the difficulties his side faced against Marseille, the Paris coach believes his team largely stuck to the game plan and stressed one thing above all: winning a Classique in Marseille is never easy.
PSG struggled, particularly in the first half. Asked what he told his players at half-time after Paris had been put under pressure during the opening 45 minutes, Luis Enrique insisted there was no need to dramatically change his message. “Nothing special to say. The match went as we had planned, with a lot of difficulties away from home. Everyone says it’s easy to play at the Vélodrome, but these things are not easy. We tried to play. In the first half, we created fewer chances because the opposition played very well. In the second half, we changed things a little and it was a very good second half.”
Luis Enrique: “Nothing is easy”
The Spanish coach was also asked about his particularly energetic behaviour on the touchline. With PSG in an unusual position in the table, Luis Enrique felt his players needed to feel his support. “It was very important tonight. We are in a different position from what we are used to. But above all, we wanted to win the Classique for our supporters. It’s a very important match and we knew that.” He added: “As a coach, I try to give the team what I think we need. If I think we need more energy, it’s not difficult for me to show that. If I have to show calm, maybe that’s more difficult.” When a journalist jokingly asked whether his GPS data could be checked after all the energy he had spent along the touchline, Luis Enrique laughed: “I don’t have one.”
After the victory, Luis Enrique also wanted to point out that the scenario predicted before the Classique was very different from what actually happened at the Vélodrome. “I think we made a great effort and I’ll repeat myself: before the match, everyone said it was easy, but nothing is easy. I’m sure they will improve with a great coach.” It was also a small show of support for Bruno Genesio as Marseille go through a very difficult period.
For PSG, however, the most important thing is the result: Paris leave the Vélodrome with all three points and a valuable Classique victory before the international break. Also read: OM/PSG: Paris win 2-1, PSG player ratings; OM/PSG: the goals on video; OM/PSG: the winners and losers; OM/PSG: starting XI, Torres on the bench; OM/PSG: the starting XI according to the press; OM/PSG: the predicted lineup for tonight.
