Luis Enrique plays it cool and a little proud
Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique shrugged at the sudden change in tone from the media and asked aloud, "Are we favorites now?" He made the comments during the pregame press conference ahead of PSG's league match against Nice.
Balancing the narrative
"Everything said about the team I try to balance," Luis Enrique explained. He praised his squad as an incredible group with very smart players and insisted that in big knockout ties there are no clear favorites, just two teams used to these kinds of matches.
Why the tone changed
The coach reminded reporters that a few weeks ago coverage of PSG in the Champions League was more negative. Some outlets, including L'Equipe, had not listed PSG as favorites in the last round against Chelsea. Now, with the draw giving PSG a quarterfinal against Liverpool, the conversation feels different to him.
Memories of the Liverpool tie
Luis Enrique said the upcoming two-legged tie brings back good memories. The dates are clear: the first match on 8 April at the Parc des Princes and the return on 14 April at Anfield. He recalled last season when Liverpool looked like the best team in the competition and noted that their coach, Arne Slot, had spoken highly of PSG when others did not.
He also reminded everyone of how that knockout went: PSG lost at home 0-1 despite creating chances, equalized the tie at Anfield, and ultimately advanced after a penalty shootout won by the French side.
On Lucas Chevalier's France call-up
Luis Enrique welcomed the inclusion of goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier in the France squad, even though Chevalier is not the PSG starter right now. "I am happy he is on the list, he deserves it," the coach said. He added that he defended his players and reminded listeners that he was the coach who signed Chevalier, so he knows the player's level has not changed.
He went further: if he were the France coach he would have picked Chevalier as well, the same choice made by Didier Deschamps.
However, Luis Enrique was clear that the national team selection will not influence his club choices. "Nothing that happens outside changes my opinion. I do not need to know what people outside think," he said, meaning the call-up will not automatically make Chevalier the PSG starter.
