PSG’s Quiet Fear: Enrique Reveals What Keeps Paris Awake Before the Le Havre Clash

Key concerns for Enrique

Louis Enrique, the Paris Saint-Germain manager, says there is one thing that worries him as PSG prepare for Le Havre this Saturday, a crucial step in a packed Ligue 1 schedule.

In a Friday press conference, he pressed his players to stay focused after the individual accolades they’ve racked up since the start of the season.

Ousmane Dembélé, PSG’s talisman, has just claimed Ballon d’Or‑level recognition, though injuries have kept him out of action for long spells this campaign.

Awards, injuries, and squad depth

Achraf Hakimi followed with the African Player of the Year honor last week, as PSG collected five domestic and continental titles this year, including the Champions League and the European Super Cup, for the club’s historic haul.

Enrique also highlighted an eight‑match march ahead in October, including France’s Cup and a likely Intercontinental Cup appearance, plus additional fixtures scheduled during the two prior international breaks.

“We will play eight matches, start in the Coupe de France, participate in the Intercontinental Cup, and add one more game—from the two breaks—our goal is unchanged: to improve continually,” he said in the press conference.

Asked about the fitness of injured players, Enrique replied it was too early to confirm who would be ready and that they trained yesterday with six players and three goalkeepers. Training later Friday would reveal who could feature against Le Havre.

On Dembélé’s readiness, the coach indicated it’s uncertain; the winger is not a doctor, but his condition is improving. He might train today, or at least feature in part, and the staff will monitor his progress in the coming days.

Turning to Marquinhos, Enrique noted the captain’s landmark 500th appearance could be a moment to manage expectations and discuss how to maximise his influence across the eight games remaining before the year’s end.

“If a player can reach 499 matches, he must accept criticism; that’s part of elite football,” he added, stressing professionalism and a shared objective to strengthen the team rather than chase individual glory.

He also touched on midfield balance, noting he’s not chasing a single ‘best’ playmaker but rather a collective effort from all midfield options, including Maiolo, Zaïre-Emery, Kanng, and Doi, with Ngantou also contributing.

Season snapshot and upcoming schedule

Enrique emphasized the core aim remains victory, with the squad asked to train together and display a unified style of play. He joked that personal awards hold little weight for him when the ball is rolling, stressing teamwork over individual accolades.

He even riffed about his own role in managing the team’s bench duties, saying, “I don’t know much about rugby, but I love the energy and emotion in the stands,” before insisting his focus is simply to push PSG forward.

PSG results thus far in 2025‑26

PSG have registered eight league wins, one defeat to Marseille (0‑1) in the classic clash that coincided with the Ballon d’Or ceremony, and three draws. Wins over Nantes and Angers (1‑0) bookended by a big 6‑3 thrashing of Toulouse, a 2‑0 win over Lens, and a 2‑0 victory against Auxerre.

Pre‑international break, PSG drew away at Lille (1‑1) and again at Strasbourg (3‑3) at the Parc des Princes, briefly losing top spot before it was reclaimed with wins over Brest and Lorient, followed by a narrow 1‑0 win at Nice and a tense 3‑2 victory over Lyon as they chase a fifth consecutive domestic title.

In Europe, PSG opened the Champions League with three straight wins, starting with a 4‑0 success over Atalanta at the Parc des Princes, then a 2‑1 win at Barcelona, and a stunning 7‑2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, before a 1‑2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the fourth group game.

Enrique’s squad now heads into an eight‑game block across competitions, with the aim of maintaining momentum and balance while managing fitness and squad depth.

Punchline time: If Paris keeps this pace, the calendar might start filing for a longer vacation in December—though PSG fans know the team will file a few extra hours of practice instead. Punchline two: The only trophy that truly lasts forever in football is the memory of the jokes we tell about midfielders who forgot where the ball is.