Luis Enrique’s Confidence: PSG Aims to Reclaim Top Spot from Marseille

PSG aims for Ligue 1 top spot in crucial clash against Brest

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) returns to Ligue 1 action this Saturday afternoon, facing Stade Brestois in a pivotal encounter for the French championship’s ninth round. The match is crucial for the Parisian club as they seek to temporarily reclaim the top of the standings from Olympique de Marseille (OM). To achieve this, Luis Enrique’s squad must secure a victory to apply pressure on OM, who later face RC Lens.

Luis Enrique remains confident despite current standings

During a press conference on Friday, PSG’s coach Luis Enrique exhibited remarkable calmness regarding his team’s position, which is currently second, just one point behind OM. “As a coach, I’m serene and confident. It’s your job to analyze why it works or not, in your opinion. You have to view each match in different contexts. We aim to play consistently, although circumstances vary around each game. I noticed the same mentality and identity in Ligue 1 as in the Champions League, the same as last season,” he stated.

He further elaborated, “You’re concerned because the team has one point less than OM, but I’m not. As PSG’s coach, I don’t worry about others. We are prepared. We don’t use excuses for the different circumstances we’ve faced; we manage them. And again, I’ve observed the same team spirit in both the league and the Champions League. Our focus, beyond reclaiming first place, is to win matches, including the away games at Brest and Lorient. Winning every match is very challenging, but we have the experience.”

OM seeks redemption after Sporting setback

For PSG to regain the lead, OM must falter again following their recent Champions League defeat to Sporting Portugal. Nonetheless, the Marseille club is determined to bounce back and secure three points against RC Lens this Saturday.

At a press briefing on Friday, OM’s coach Roberto De Zerbi expressed his ambitions, stating, “Is this a positive question? I expect us to play our best. Fans shouldn’t be sad or disappointed about the Sporting match. Losing hurt us all, and we could have done better, but supporters should focus on the first half. The second half wasn’t football. The first half offered many positive answers. We need to stay balanced, not everything is perfect when we win. Against PSG, we suffered in the second half. We evaluate the Sporting match negatively, but it doesn’t change my overall analysis.”