Metz-PSG: “Safonov showed his level”, rejoices Luis Enrique

This Saturday, it is not the end of the first phase of the French championship but the last Ligue 1 match of 2025. For the 16th stage, Paris goes to Metz, match scheduled for 7 p.m., just three days after its goalless draw in Bilbao in the Champions League.

This Friday, on the eve of this meeting and before the final of the Intercontinental Cup, Wednesday in Doha, Luis Enrique was at a press conference in Poissy. The coach brushed aside the club’s current issues.

Are you satisfied with your team’s play since the start of the season?

LUIS HENRY. I think we are on the normal trajectory. We have improved things and we can still improve things. I’m happy with what I see. Defensively and offensively, I am satisfied.

Does the sequence of the last four matches of the season, all away, increase fatigue?

I hope not. We travel a lot. You have to adapt to the schedule. We are not looking for excuses. We travel in the best conditions. Every time we travel, there is fatigue. But I saw this morning (this Friday) a ready team in training.

Did the two-game break do Lucas Chevalier any good ?

He had this little injury. He trained normally this Friday. We were able to see another player who showed his level, Matvey Safonov. We are very happy. He showed his professionalism and personality. We have three top goalkeepers.

Can Matvey Safonov shake up the hierarchy? ?

It depends. I have a lot of confidence in the three goalkeepers. It’s important to know that they are ready. Safonov showed this! Tomorrow, we’ll see.

“The Intercontinental Cup is very important, it’s a trophy that you can rarely win”

What does the fact of not being able to count on all your players change in your management? ?

I saw the level of our team. I hope after Christmas and over time to get all the players back. To then experience the most important part of the season. This is my hope. We didn’t see him for four months. It’s weird.

Is the Intercontinental Cup as important to you as it is to your next opponent, Flamengo or Pyramids FC?

It’s the same motivation for both teams. The importance of a trophy remains the same. It’s very important, it’s a trophy that you can rarely win.

Do you find reasons for hope now in the fact of having succeeded in completely switching between 2024 and 2025?

This season is a continuation of the second part of last season. We showed our qualities as a team in a strange and different situation. We can play better or worse but we put the same intensity into each match, regardless of the stadium where we play.

How is Ousmane Dembélé?

It’s a shame for him and for the team. We are confident and we are trying to manage this in the best possible way to find Ousmane in the best conditions. He still needs to recover after being sick this week. You have to be careful.

On the transfer window, your thinking seems to have evolved. Do you want to be active?

I’m not changing anything I said. I am open. We have very good sports management who analyze our needs very well. We have Titis but it’s not easy. If you know any interesting, cheaper players, I’m willing to listen.

How long will Marquinhos’ absence last?

I don’t know. What I saw, there are no bad things. But I don’t know if he will be available for the Intercontinental Cup.