Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is finding its title defense in Ligue 1 more challenging than anticipated, having drawn two of its first seven matches and suffered a setback in the Champions League.
Despite this, manager Luis Enrique remains optimistic about his team’s form as they prepare for a crucial home game against Strasbourg on Saturday.
While PSG is still unbeaten in Ligue 1, the two draws have allowed AS Monaco to forge a two-point lead at the top of the standings.
Furthermore, the team faced a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Arsenal in their second Champions League match, raising questions about their readiness for high-stakes competitions.
However, in a press conference ahead of the Strasbourg clash, Enrique reflected positively on the early part of the season.
“The start of the season in general has been very positive, even more positive than I imagined,” Enrique stated.
He acknowledged the inherent challenges of a long season, noting, “Throughout the season, it is not a linear process; there are better moments and less good moments. We haven’t had any bad spells yet. We would like to win every game, but that is not possible in football.”
PSG’s upcoming match against Strasbourg comes after an international break, during which many of their players were called up for national duty. Enrique pointed out that the travel and playing time with international teams could impact his squad’s performance.
“We have to bear in mind playing time with international teams, travel time, and fatigue. So, of course, that is going to have an effect on the team on the pitch tomorrow,” he said, stressing the importance of securing a win despite the challenges.
Strasbourg, currently seventh in the league, has shown resilience this season, losing only once and remaining competitive in matches.
“They score goals, they press high, they are dangerous, they are not worried about one-on-one situations. It will certainly be really difficult, well contested, and I think both teams will have chances,” Enrique warned, acknowledging the threat posed by the visitors.
Enrique also took a moment to praise his players who performed well on the international stage, particularly Randal Kolo Muani. The forward, who has struggled to find his footing at PSG this season, recently scored both goals in France’s 2-1 victory over Belgium.
“That is certainly good news for me as a coach, to see our international players getting good results, producing strong performances, scoring goals, defending well,” Enrique said. “The better they play for their national teams, the better for me.”
As PSG gears up for the match against Strasbourg, Enrique’s belief in his team’s potential remains strong.
With the competitive landscape of Ligue 1 growing increasingly intense, every game is critical for PSG as they aim to close the gap at the top of the table and regain momentum after a rocky start to their title defense.
The clash promises to be a test of character for PSG, who must navigate the pressures of both league and European competitions while maintaining their pursuit of silverware this season.
