Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique has firmly rejected any notion that the upcoming Coupe de France final against Reims will be a distraction for his team ahead of their crucial Champions League final against Inter Milan.
PSG have already secured the Ligue 1 title and the Trophée des Champions this season, but with two important fixtures remaining, including the chance to claim the coveted European crown, Enrique insists his squad’s focus remains razor-sharp.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Coupe de France final, Enrique emphasized the significance of the domestic cup clash, describing it as “very special” and underlining the importance of attention to detail in such a high-stakes match.
“All the professional players know that playing in a Cup final is very special. It’s a special match and the details count,” Enrique said at a press conference. “It’s not difficult to concentrate on [Saturday]’s game. None of the players will be distracted. We want to make history from day one… We’re here now, and we need to put the icing on the cake.”
PSG are aiming for their 16th French Cup title, entering the final as overwhelming favorites against a Reims side battling relegation playoffs in Ligue 1.
According to the Opta supercomputer, PSG’s chances of winning in regulation time stand at 80.4%, while Reims have just a 7.8% probability. The likelihood of a draw, which would lead to extra time and potentially penalties, is estimated at 11.7%.
Despite Reims’ precarious league position, Enrique refused to underestimate them. “It doesn’t matter what Reims’ situation is at the moment… We know how to find spaces and points to exploit. A lot can happen in a match, and you have to prepare well. We’ve got one more day of preparation,” he explained.
He added, “Everyone will be giving 130% to win this trophy. You have to win a final, you can’t let it slip through your fingers.”
While PSG can already celebrate their domestic dominance this season, their attention is also firmly fixed on their Champions League final showdown against Inter Milan on May 31 at the Allianz Arena in Munich. This match presents an opportunity for PSG to end their long quest for their first-ever Champions League title.
Luis Enrique acknowledged the challenge of balancing preparations for these back-to-back high-profile matches but insisted that his players remain fully focused on the task at hand.
“Sometimes it’s better to play tight right to the end so you don’t slack off,” he said. “We had to stay focused. I don’t know if that’s positive or negative. I’m trying to see what’s positive about our schedule.”
Meanwhile, Inter Milan face a critical Serie A fixture against Como on Friday as they chase the Scudetto alongside table-toppers Napoli.
With only a single point separating the two teams going into the final league day, the Serie A title race could culminate in a playoff if they finish level on points, adding further drama ahead of the Champions League final.
For PSG, the next week is a chance to seal their domestic double and claim European glory. With Luis Enrique confident in his squad’s mental strength and focus, the Parisian giants look set to approach both challenges with unwavering determination.
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