PSG 'feel like champions' as Ligue 1 title nears, says Luis Enrique
Coach Luis Enrique said Paris Saint-Germain "can feel like champions" knowing they could seal the Ligue 1 title this weekend but warned his players not to let their level drop.
The unbeaten league leaders go to second-bottom Saint-Etienne, where a win would secure an 11th French title in 13 seasons if Marseille lose away to Reims and Monaco draw with Nice on Saturday.
"We're never champions until it's mathematically certain, but we can feel like champions, we're the best team in Ligue 1," Luis Enrique told reporters on Friday.
Advertisement
"We're going to use these last eight matches for other goals, to be competitive against all opponents... to be ready for the three months that remain.
"There's the French Cup and the Champions League, where we want to be right to the end."
PSG face second-tier Dunkerque in the semi-finals of the French Cup in Lille next week before taking on Aston Villa in the last eight of the Champions League.
Luis Enrique doesn't believe the possibility of wrapping up a record-extending 13th Ligue 1 title on Saturday should have any effect on his team's mindset.
"It seems totally unimportant to me, there are eight games left in the league, we want to be competitive because that will prepare us in the best way for the other competitions," said the Spaniard.
Advertisement
"I feel almost the same as I did this time last year, we were almost champions, in the semi-finals of the cup and quarter-finals of the Champions League, with young players who have a year's more experience."
PSG will be without Lee Kang-in against Saint-Etienne after the South Korean picked up an ankle injury on international duty. Achraf Hakimi is also being rested after playing for Morocco in World Cup qualifying.
bap/alh/mw/nr
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Scuffle breaks out at end of Club World Cup final as Luis Enrique, Donnarumma confront João Pedro
EAST RUTHERFORD, N,J. (AP) — A scuffle broke out after the end of the Club World Cup final on Sunday with Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma appearing to push Chelsea forward João Pedro. Chelsea upset PSG 3-0 to win the title, scoring three first-half goals in a match that turned testy with a red card to PSG's João Neves for pulling down Marc Cucurella by his hair, along with six yellow cards. Advertisement Enrique was on the field near the center circle and appeared to push João Pedro on the throat. Donnarumma pushed the 23-year-old forward, who fell over. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca moved away Donnarumma, a fellow Italian. PSG defender Achraf Hakimi had been gesturing at João Pedro and Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos. The awards presentation did not start until 30 minutes after the final whistle. ___ AP soccer: The Associated Press
Associated Press
21 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Scuffle breaks out at end of Club World Cup final as Luis Enrique, Donnarumma confront João Pedro
EAST RUTHERFORD, N,J. (AP) — A scuffle broke out after the end of the Club World Cup final on Sunday with Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma appearing to push Chelsea forward João Pedro. Chelsea upset PSG 3-0 to win the title, scoring three first-half goals in a match that turned testy with a red card to PSG's João Neves for pulling down Marc Cucurella by his hair, along with six yellow cards. Enrique was on the field near the center circle and appeared to push João Pedro on the throat. Donnarumma pushed the 23-year-old forward, who fell over. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca moved away Donnarumma, a fellow Italian. PSG defender Achraf Hakimi had been gesturing at João Pedro and Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos. The awards presentation did not start until 30 minutes after the final whistle. ___ AP soccer:
CNBC
22 minutes ago
- CNBC
Chelsea beats PSG 3-0 for Club World Cup title as Palmer scores twice and sets up third goal
EAST RUTHERFORD, N,J. — Cole Palmer scored twice and fed João Pedro for a goal as Chelsea overwhelmed Paris Saint-Germain in the first half and beat the European champions 3-0 on Sunday in the final of the first expanded Club World Cup. Palmer had almost identical left-footed goals from just inside the penalty area in the 22nd and 30th minutes, then sent a through pass that enabled João Pedro to chip goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 43d for his third goal in two starts with the Blues. A 23-year-old who joined Chelsea from Manchester City two years ago, Palmer scored 18 goals this season. PSG finished a man short after João Neves was given a red card in the 84th minute for pulling down Marc Cucurella by his hair. After a testy final few minutes in a game with six yellow cards, the teams needed to be separated as PSG coach Luis Enrique and Donnarumma pushed João Pedro near the center circle. A heavy favorite who had outscored opponents 16-1, PSG had been looking to complete a quadruple after winning Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and its first Champions League title. Chelsea had finished fourth in the Premier League and won the third-tier UEFA Conference League. The Blues took the world title for the second time after 2021, when it was an seven-team event. The Blues earned $128,435,000 to $153,815,000 in prize money, the amount depending on a participation fee FIFA has not disclosed. PSG had not lost by three goals since a 4-1 Champions League defeat at Newcastle in October 2023. Chelsea went ahead in the 22nd after goalkeeper Robert Sánchez kicked the ball downfield and Nuno Mendes mis-hit his header 15 yards past the midfield stripe toward his own goal. Malo Gusto's shot was blocked by Lucas Beraldo and rebounded to Palmer, who ended PSG's streak of 436 minutes without conceding. Palmer doubled the lead in the 30th when he ran onto a long ball from Levi Colwill, cut inside before shooting. Chelsea heads into the 2025-26 season, which starts in less than five weeks, believing it can challenge Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal for the Premier League title. "It's a great feeling," Palmer said. "Even better because obviously everyone doubted us before the game. ... The gaffer put a great gameplan out and obviously, he knew where the space was going to be."
