Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) manager Luis Enrique has warned his team despite their convincing 3-0 win over RB Salzburg, stressing the need for major improvements to stay competitive in the UEFA Champions League.
The French side’s campaign had been a disaster up until this point, with defeats to Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Arsenal leaving them perilously close to elimination. While Tuesday’s win lifted them into the playoff spots, the manager remains unconvinced.
“Football is incredibly unfair,” Enrique acknowledged. “The standings are incredibly tight, and a single goal can make a huge difference. We still have two crucial games ahead, and we could still be eliminated.”
He further elaborated, “This performance wasn’t superior to our matches against PSV Eindhoven or Atletico Madrid. I’d even argue it was worse. But that’s the nature of football. We are aware of the need for improvement, and the squad hasn’t undergone major changes. We require points, and we will strive to win the upcoming games.”
While acknowledging the team’s performance, Enrique singled out Nuno Mendes for praise. “Nuno brings unique solutions due to his physical and technical attributes,” the manager explained. “He can contribute both defensively and offensively, playing higher up the pitch at the moment. He significantly enhances our attacking potential, although that could change.”
Looking ahead, Luis Enrique shifted his focus to the upcoming clash against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on January 22nd, followed by a crucial match against VfB Stuttgart seven days later. “We haven’t accumulated the points we should have,” he stressed. “Scoring tonight was crucial because a single goal could determine our Champions League fate. We must approach each game individually, with City now our immediate focus.”
PSG will next face Lyon in Ligue 1 on December 15, providing an opportunity to build momentum and address the concerns raised by the manager.
