I Love Pressure: Enrique Fires a Bold Challenge as PSG Soars
26 October 2025
PSG Climb to the Top
Spanish coach Luis Enrique is the Paris Saint Germain manager. He raises the banner of challenge as the team climbs to the summit of Ligue 1 after round nine of the season.
PSG defeated Brest 3-0; Marseille fell to Lens, sending the Parisian giants to the top of the table.
Enrique Strategy and Squad Depth
Enrique told Le Parisien that they place trust in themselves. The league demands consistency and stability, and PSG remains calm and confident, knowing their capabilities.
The coach adds that the league is like a marathon where you can sprint early but you must complete the full distance. PSG are a stable team and can play many games three days apart.
He acknowledges there will be ups and downs and injuries, but he says these are not excuses and the team will strive for consistent performances.
Regarding the two upcoming league games against Lorient and Nice on Wednesday and Saturday, Enrique says he loves the pressure and the pace of playing every three days. He emphasizes using the full squad and managing injuries as Neves and Ruiz recover, since their return will be important.
Asked about Neves and Ruiz, the coach jokes that they are at home and that he does not know much more, perhaps they are drinking water or beer.
On Dembele, he says they are not rushing him. Dembele played 30 minutes against Leverkusen and 30 against Brest and remains in very good shape. They will manage him to be ready fully very soon.
Hakimi Spotlight and Team Chemistry
Enrique also praises Hakimi, saying he is the best right back in the world, with excellent vision and the ability to use space. He notes that Hakimi scored a superb goal from a precise pass by Vitinha, and that Hakimi has strong attacking abilities.
Asked if he has seen a player with similar qualities in that position, he replies that he once worked with Dani Alves at Barcelona, but comparing players is difficult. He is happy to work with Hakimi and teammates Marquinhos, Willian Batshu, Ilia Zabarnyi and Vitinha.
Europe and Domestic Ambitions
In terms of results this season, PSG has six wins and one defeat to Marseille 0-1 in the Clasico that happened alongside the Ballon dOr ceremony delayed by weather. They also drew twice.
They beat Nantes and Angers 1-0 in the first two rounds, then crushed Toulouse 6-3, beat Lens 2-0, and overcame Auxerre 2-0.
Before the international break, PSG drew away at Lille 1-1 and then Strasbourg 3-3 at the Parc des Princes, temporarily losing top spot before reclaiming it with the Brest win.
In Europe, PSG won the European Super Cup against Tottenham on penalties after a 2-2 draw. In the Champions League, they have wins over Atalanta, Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen, signaling a strong European campaign ahead.
Punchline 1: If pressure is a sport, Enrique just signed PSG up for a long season of marathons with sprint finishes.
Punchline 2: In Enrique s playbook the pace is driven by Hakimi when given the ball, and the jokes about it travel faster than the ball across the pitch.
