PSG head coach Luis Enrique and Vitinha preview their UEFA Champions League group stage clash with Bayern Munich
Courtesy of UEFA
Paris, France
Courtesy of UEFA
Paris, France
Category
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SportsTranscript
00:00Hello, and welcome to this press conference between FC Bayern and Paris Saint-Germain.
00:19This is the fifth day in the presence of Vitinha. Thank you for your questions in French and German.
00:30Hello, this is Baptiste Becker from AFP. How do you motivate yourself to go again after a defeat like the one against Atletico, especially against a very big team like Bayern at home?
00:45Good evening everyone. I think it's the biggest motivation to play a Champions League game against Bayern, a big European team.
00:59I don't think you can have more motivation than that. Even if we lost against Atletico the way we lost, I think playing in the Champions League is a childhood dream for everyone.
01:14It's incredible to play such a big game in the Champions League. The motivation is incredibly high.
01:22Good evening, Jean-Ré Segué from RMC Sport. Do you feel that there is a particular pressure before this game?
01:32Looking at the results and the Paris Saint-Germain's path, can this pressure not be positive?
01:38You are competitors, you have already proven it, and it can perhaps pull the PSG game up, which is a little bad in this competition.
01:46You said it all. You have to remove the positive from this type of pressure. Of course, we know we have to win. It's not decisive because we are not eliminated if we lose, we know that.
01:59But we want to win every game here. Every game we have at PSG is to win. That's no different from tomorrow. We come here not to wait for a result. We come to win.
02:16Good evening, Dominique SĂ©verac from Le Parisien. You know Gonzalo Ramos well. He is back after three months of injury. How do you feel about him today?
02:30Gonzalo? He is happy. He is very happy. He has been away for a long time. Two or three months, I'm not sure, but it's been a long time. All the players who have been away for so long, they miss the pitch, they miss playing, scoring. It's normal. We are here to help him when he comes back.
03:00You arrived in a Paris Saint-Germain with Messi, Neymar, Mbappé, where there were a lot of big stars. Recently, your president said that the project was now turned to the team around coach Luis Enrique.
03:14On a daily basis, do you check the president's words? Do you feel that PSG has changed its project and that we are more focused on the team and the coach?
03:25Yes, it's in the president's speech, it's in the coach's speech too. The title of the player that comes for the team. You add all that, even the campus. If you add all that, you feel that the project is going in the right direction.
03:44I particularly like this type of project. The team is well connected with this type of project.
03:59How can you help a player like Barcola, who has only scored one goal in the Champions League since the beginning of his career, to free himself, to unlock himself in the Champions League?
04:19It's going fast, isn't it? I'm already a player with experience. It hasn't been long since I was really young. For the question, I don't think it's a question. It's not a question for Brad. Of course he wants to score every game, of course he wants to help the team, of course we all want him to score.
04:41But it's not just Brad, it's the whole team. I also said in the flash that it's not just the attackers. We can't just ask the attackers to score. In the last game we played in Toulouse, we scored with half a goal. As a defender, that also makes a difference. I think it can make a difference tomorrow and in the next game. If Brad scores, I'm happy too.
05:12Good evening, Philippe Sanforge for RTL. We talked about Gonzalo Ramos' return. There is also a very important player in the group, Presnel Kimpembe. He's a boy who has been at Paris Saint-Germain for 20 years. He's the soul of the club. He's a world champion with the French team. What does he represent in the group? What is his importance on the pitch and in the dressing room?
05:39He's experienced. We're all really happy for him. It's been a long time, much longer than Gonzalo, since he's been here. I can imagine the feeling he has now, to be with the group, to travel, to train tomorrow. We're all really happy for him.
05:56I want to send him a message of strength. The worst has already happened. He has to enjoy it now. As I said, we're all happy for him.
06:14Good evening, Bruno Salomon for France Bleu Paris. What are your thoughts on Bayern Munich?
06:30We know we're going to face a very, very good team, with great players of the world class. It's been a while since they haven't broken a boot. We know which team we're up against.
06:45You could say they're under a lot of pressure. I'm sure they're going to do that tomorrow. We're going to try to counter that. We're going to study the game plan. We're going to talk to the coach.
07:05I'm sure if we follow the coach's plan, we're going to come out of this with a very positive result.
07:24You've improved a lot since the arrival of the coach. What has he taught you?
07:30I've already had the chance to say that. He's given me a lot. He's brought me back to a different level. Now it's up to me to continue. It's up to me to prove it wasn't just a year. I'm trying to do everything I can. He's helped me a lot.
08:00You're 25th in the Champions League. Do you think you're still a threat to opponents like Bayern Munich?
08:09I'm sure they have a lot of respect for us. Everyone knows we're a very good team. We have a great player, a great coach and a good dynamic. We can do badly in this competition.
08:39You've had a lot of competition from the goalkeepers for a few weeks. How do you see the rise in power of Matvei Safonov with PSG?
08:46It's true he played well. We're happy for that. All the players in the competition are here. They're very attentive in the group. It's good for the team. If Gigio, Arnaud or Safonov play, it's not with me. It's with the coach who comes after me.
09:17Can you confirm that you're in the process of extending your contract with PSG? What does it mean for you to have to offer a new contract while you have a long contract until 2027?
09:31I'm really happy to be here in Paris. I feel good and so does my family. I like this club. I like this type of project.
09:49I like the direction the club is taking. I don't see a reason not to stay for a long time.
10:19What does it mean for you to have to offer a new contract while you have a long contract until 2027?
10:49I don't know.
11:19Any questions in French or in German for Luis Henrique?
11:32Hello Luis. After the meeting with Atletico in the press conference, you were disappointed with the result. You mentioned the uncertainty around the qualification for Paris Saint Germain.
11:54What does it mean for you to have confidence in your team to play a good match and get a good result tomorrow?
12:03Good afternoon. The confidence I have to face this match is given to me every week and every day I see my team training.
12:14Good afternoon. The confidence I have to face this match is given to me every week and every day I see my team training.
12:27Bayern Munich are used to controlling the pace of the game. Do you expect to suffer tomorrow?
12:38Suffer?
12:42Suffering?
12:45Suffering?
12:49Suffering, yes or no?
12:51Suffering, yes.
12:53I think we are very similar to Bayern Munich in the way we approach the game.
13:05Both teams want the ball but there is only one.
13:09Both teams press high. Both teams are aggressive in pressure. We press far from our goal.
13:15The statistics show that we are very similar. In fact, we are two of the three teams that have the best numbers in attack and defense, in possession of the ball, on occasions, in expected goals conceded.
13:31We are very similar. The problem is that tomorrow there is only one ball.
13:36Those who don't have the ball will suffer, they and us, without a doubt.
13:44I think it is very clear that Bayern and we are two teams that are very similar to each other.
13:50We are two teams that want the ball. We are two teams that press very high, very far from our goal.
14:00The problem is that each time we have statistics that are very similar.
14:04We are two of the three best teams in terms of statistics for expected goals, occasions, etc.
14:11The problem is that tomorrow there is only one ball. Those who don't have the ball will suffer, they and us, without a doubt.
14:18Good evening Luis, Dominique Semarac, Le Parisien.
14:23At the beginning of October you were at Arsenal, it was complicated, we are at the end of November.
14:27How has your team progressed since then?
14:29I think that throughout 12 league games and 4 Champions League games, the team has always shown,
14:44except for the Arsenal game, a better performance than the rival.
14:51In terms of numbers, in terms of attack and defense situations, I would like the team to follow that line tomorrow.
15:00It is true that tomorrow we will have to do things that we are not used to, but the same will happen to Bayern.
15:08When we don't have the ball, it is obvious that we will have to run more than usual.
15:13But this is how it is when you face a rival of this level and when you do it in their field of play.
15:20How has your team progressed since then?
15:25I think that throughout 12 league games and 4 Champions League games, the team has always shown,
15:33except for the Arsenal game, a better performance than the rival.
15:40In terms of numbers, in terms of attack and defense situations,
15:44it is true that tomorrow we will have to do things that we are not used to,
15:50but the same will happen to Bayern.
15:53When we don't have the ball, it is obvious that we will have to run more than usual.
16:02Good evening coach, I ask you the same question as Vitinia earlier.
16:08Do you consider that in terms of Parkour in the Champions League, PSG,
16:12you have a little more pressure before this game against Bayern?
16:16And can this pressure not be positive to allow your players to raise their level of play?
16:23It is obvious that we have already played 4 games, 3 of them in the Parc des Princes.
16:31And the result, fair or unfair, for me totally unfair, is what it is.
16:37This implies that there is an obligation in these 4 games to get good results to qualify.
16:44We don't know how many points will be necessary, but it is obvious that we have created that complication ourselves.
16:51Everything that is undeserved, but football doesn't know whether it is fair or unfair.
16:56It is obvious that we have a margin for improvement.
17:27Hello, José Barroso from the team.
17:30Bradley Barcola is the best scorer in Ligue 1.
17:33Beyond this season, he is on 1 goal in 14 Champions League games.
17:38Does he still have to pass a cap, according to you, in this competition?
17:43I think that to judge the numbers of any player,
17:47he has to pass a cap.
17:50I think that to judge the numbers of any player,
17:56first, we have to look at what he has done in previous years.
18:00But in the case of players as young as we have, it is difficult.
18:05Because it is obvious that there has to be a progression.
18:09But we have to wait until the end of the season to see what numbers each player shows.
18:13What is true is that the team, in the Champions League, is improving compared to last year.
18:20And, I repeat, we are looking for the strength of the team,
18:24not depending on a single player and improving the statistics of all players individually.
18:35I think that to judge the numbers and statistics around a player,
18:39you also have to take into account the previous years.
18:41But it is quite difficult because we have a lot of young players.
18:45So there is a real progression that is necessary.
18:48And I invite you to wait until the end of the season to judge for each player,
18:52to do even better in Europe.
18:55And I think that, above all, the strength of a team and the strength of our team
18:58is not to depend on a single player.
19:00So what I expect is an individual improvement of each of my players.
19:11Last season you played Dortmund twice.
19:15So four games against a German club.
19:17Bayern is not the same thing as Dortmund.
19:19But in the characteristics, in the intensity that there is in this German football,
19:23what are you most afraid of?
19:26And what are the specific characteristics of German football for you?
19:31I think that you cannot generalize or compare teams.
19:35Bayern is one of the favorites for any competition in which it participates,
19:39regardless of the year.
19:41This phrase, within 10 years or within 20, is in use.
19:46Any competition.
19:48Six Champions League wins.
19:50A historic club, totally different from any other German team,
19:54by history, by specific club weight.
20:00I repeat, football-wise, it is the team that I see in Europe most similar to us,
20:06for the idea of ​​the game, in addition to possibly the City.
20:10Teams that are created to have the ball,
20:14and that, once they lose the ball, try to recover it as soon as possible
20:18and in an aggressive way, without any problem,
20:21to defend very far from their goal.
20:24That is what defines this game for me.
20:27Two fronts that face the same goal.
20:31I think it's very interesting to be able to see a great game tomorrow.
20:39I think that you cannot generalize or compare teams.
20:43Bayern is one of the favorites for any competition in which it participates,
20:48and this phrase, within 10 years or within 20, is in use.
20:52Six Champions League wins.
20:55A historic club, totally different from any German team,
20:59by specific club weight.
21:01I repeat, football-wise, it is the team that I see in Europe most similar to us,
21:05for the idea of ​​the game, in addition to possibly the City.
21:09Teams that are created to have the ball,
21:12and that, once they lose the ball, try to recover it as soon as possible
21:16and in an aggressive way, without any problem,
21:19to defend very far from their goal.
21:22That is what defines this game for me.
21:25Two fronts that face the same goal.
21:28I think it's very interesting to be able to see a great game tomorrow.
21:39If you have seen Safonov's recent meetings,
21:42how do you judge his rise in power in recent weeks with PSG?
21:58Gonzalo is in the final process of his recovery.
22:04Clearly with the intention of being able to reintegrate, I don't know when.
22:10As for the rest, I see all the players ready.
22:13One of my goals as a coach, I think the main one,
22:17is to see all my players ready for any game.
22:21That goes for any game throughout the season, this and the ones to come.
22:39As for the rest, I see all my players ready.
22:42One of my goals as a coach, I think the main one,
22:45is to see all my players ready for any game.
22:48That goes for any game throughout the season, this and the ones to come.
22:58I said that all the players are ready.
23:09They are one of the best teams in Europe.
23:22We are at a great height.
23:25As much as you like our games,
23:32I am satisfied with what I see, with the ambition we have.
23:36We can improve, there is no doubt about that.
23:39We have to try to be brave, to attack,
23:44to take risks in defence, as we always do.
23:47I don't know anyone else, I don't want to know anyone else,
23:50I am not interested in anyone else.
23:52And if the opponent is better,
23:54we have to applaud and prepare for the next game.
23:57That is the reality.
24:04I think we are already playing at a high level.
24:07As much as you like our games,
24:10I am satisfied with what I see, with the ambition we have.
24:14We have to try to be brave, to attack,
24:19to take risks in defence, as we always do.
24:22I don't know anyone else, I don't want to know anyone else.
24:25And if the opponent is better,
24:27we have to applaud and prepare for the next game.
24:29That is the reality.
24:37Your presence in the group means that you may have minutes of play,
24:40tomorrow or in a rather short time.
24:42And on Safanov, I also continue,
24:44you made the choice to make him a starter
24:47against teams that are in a hurry, like Lens and Toulouse.
24:49Bayern is one of those teams that are in a hurry.
24:51Does he have a profile of a keeper
24:53who can answer in any case to solve the equation against Bayern?
24:58With respect to Kimpembe, he is much better,
25:03but he is still in a recovery process.
25:05The training sessions have been re-incorporated,
25:08and it was important for us that he could be with the team
25:11and do today's training,
25:13but he is still in another process.
25:16Gonzalo is closer to being able to join the team.
25:21Same answer.
25:23All the players ready?
25:25All ready.
25:27His name is Pepe, Lucas, Antoine or Quentin?
25:30Quentin.
25:58Quentin.
26:00Quentin.
26:02Quentin.
26:25The pressure of an opponent can be solved in many ways.
26:28It can be solved by trying to play from behind,
26:33with short passes.
26:35It can be tried with a number 9 that holds the ball.
26:38It can be tried by playing the ball to the back to end up pressing.
26:41Each coach chooses a way to solve this type of pressure.
26:48Choose the one you want.
26:50I will choose the one I like the most.
26:51Last question.
27:21Max Eberl, the sports director of FC Bayern,
27:24recently said that PSG had talks with Joshua Kimmich
27:29about a possible transfer.
27:32I would like to know what makes Joshua so interesting for PSG
27:36and do you want to try to bring him to your club again in the future?
27:40I would like to win.
28:10I would like to win.