Paris in the Hot Seat: Enrique Defends PSG's Young Stopper After Costly European Setback
22 January 2026
The costly error and PSG's precarious position
Luis Enrique, PSG's coach, backed his young goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier despite the costly blunder against Sporting Lisbon that handed a 2-1 defeat to the Portuguese side and put pressure on the youngster.
The save was poor, allowing a rebound to Luis Suárez, who scored the winner in the 90th minute, leaving PSG in a precarious position with direct progression to the last 16 in doubt.
Enrique's defense and the road ahead
Chevalier had joined PSG from Lille last summer, replacing Gianluigi Donnarumma who left for Manchester City after helping last season's continental triumph.
But the teenager's uneven form — keeping a clean sheet in only two of his last nine — has raised questions about his capacity to handle the pressure at the champions.
In Friday's trip to Auxerre at the Parc des Princes, Enrique stressed that criticism is part of a newcomer's first season at PSG and should be met with calm and focus.
The Spaniard also noted that early stumbles by Barcola and Désiré Doy show patience can pay off, and that adapting to the team's tempo and the Parisian environment takes time.
He added that criticism is simply part of joining such a heavyweight club, and he closed by praising the arrivals overall while reaffirming faith in Chevalier's development.
Context and what's next for PSG
The defeat complicates PSG's group-stage prospects, forcing them to approach the Auxerre match with caution while defending Chevalier's potential.
Enrique's faith echoes a familiar script: trust in youth, manage the noise, and hope the goalkeeper grows into the role.
Punchline 1: If defending were stand-up, that save would be a setup, and the punchline never landed.
Punchline 2: PSG's season feels like a thriller where the hero is the coach who trusts a kid in goal.
