Lille-PSG: transfer window, optimism, Mbappé… Luis Enrique’s point

If recruitment in the middle is necessary for the team to progress: “I think the team will progress, that’s my opinion, even if it is subject to analysis. I base myself on the confidence that the players have given me since the start of the season and my optimistic vision of the development of the team. I am optimistic. We had the most difficult group in the Champions League. Milan were in the semi-finals last season. The experience and the knowledge we gain from it is very positive. If we look at the stats, the team is ahead in almost every important aspect, possessions, shots, chances, expected goals, they are one of the best teams. And this while playing against the kind of opponent that we could come across not in groups, but in the 8th round or in the quarter-finals! We are therefore very optimistic, very positive. Football will put everyone in their place. For the rest, the winter transfer window is always very complicated, it is conditioned by needs, injuries and it is difficult to find high-level players but we are always attentive to strengthen the team. We are open to that. It’s possible that several will come, or none.”

Luis Campos: “As I have only known the locker rooms of big teams all my life, I know that we manage a group with normality, in the same way as a lower level team in fact. There is discipline so that cohabitation is very good. On a human level, it's the easiest to manage because everyone is very professional. There is a very good atmosphere, very positive, it is a pleasure to train these players.

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Kylian Mbappé in the axis: “I don’t have to convince anyone of anything. Kylian Mbappé has had the same freedom since day one. I don't know if that will change later, I don't think, because we're talking about a top world player, the kind of player who brings me 50 goals and 25 assists per year. It doesn't matter who the coach is, that's what he will do... For the rest, even if you insist, he doesn't play as number 9 but he has total freedom, he can play between the centrals, on the right or to the left, and depending on its positioning, we will compensate. You can ask me this question again and again, I will always say the same thing. So I didn't have to convince him. If I had to convince a player that something would be better for the team, I would do it, because the team comes before everyone else, player, coach, sports director... Afterwards, the coaches' decisions inevitably have repercussions on the players. Sometimes, if we play one way or another, the one who plays with Kylian will be more of a positional player or more on the side. But I repeat: it is not a question of ego or of doing according to what people say: the important thing is the way the team plays and wins titles.”

The team’s areas for improvement: “I have no doubt that the team will be better. And for good reason, all my teams have been better over the months and years. In February, we will have recovered players (Nuno Mendes, Presnel Kimpembe, Fabian Ruiz, Editor's note). Important players. We are always open to the possibility of recruiting. Why should I be pessimistic or negative? I'm optimistic, because that's my nature and because of the team's statistics, in a difficult group at that. He who does not want to see it does not see it…”

More time to work on your game plan before the 8th round: “We are a possession team, the figures show it, we must have the third percentage in this area in C1. I didn't invent it. But when we get the ball, we also have the ability to make transitions, and it's wonderful because we can play in different ways and thus take advantage of our resources. I'm not going to put the brakes on game situations in which we are strong... From there, being qualified makes us grow, we were able to gain a lot of information after facing teams of our level. It wasn't a normal group stage. We played final phase matches. The risk was not to pass. In terms of growth, it was the best group we could have had! Now we have to improve and we will but I am very happy with what I see.

Layvin Kurzawa: “No problem with Layvin, he is part of the squad, he trains every day with a good attitude. He had an opportunity to leave this summer but he stayed. He knew it would be hard for him to get minutes but he chose to stay. I'm very happy to have him in the squad, he brings things to every training session. I have no complaints. On the contrary, he is one of those who trains best.”

Vitinha used it quite low against Dortmund: “Did you see the match? Did you like Vitinha? Yes ? Well me too! In a team like ours, players sometimes have to play in a position that is not theirs. Vitinha usually plays as number 8, but he can play in 6. In a style of play like ours, he will also have minutes in 6. Besides, even in 8, he can play on the side, right or left… When you are open-minded, have the quality, you can ultimately play any position! He's the kind of player I like to have, Viti is one of them, he's played in a lot of positions so far. I'm sure he would like to play more in his natural position, but that's the high level, you have to help the team, regardless of the position. I loved his match as a 6 in Dortmund. With his strength and his personality with the ball, he makes differences. I loved his ability to defend, his physical efforts. It’s a very complete match from him.”

His choice at the end of the match in Dortmund and Mbappé’s annoyance: “I understand. I'm the one who gives all the orders in the team. It was one of the best decisions of my career! With Milan leading 2-1 at Newcastle, I told the players to take less risks while continuing to play. And besides, we continued to play, we were in the opponent's area. Afterwards, it's not just my decision, we made it with my staff. I understand the players, I understand that they are exposed to emotions. The initial objective was obviously to win, that’s clear. For a good part of the match at Newcastle there was a level score, which would have qualified us in any case, but we didn't ask our players to take their foot off the gas at that point. We had to win, score. But in the 88th minute, there were two goals difference, it would have been ridiculous to take an unnecessary risk. It was a very good decision, taken at a moment of maximum tension, you can always make a mistake, but it was a very good decision.

Lille: “They have been undefeated since September 26. They're a team that does pretty similar things to us with the ball. Mr. Fonseca is a top coach. I really like what Lille does with the ball, with and without the ball but especially with the ball. They are one of the teams with the most possession behind us. They know what they have to do, they occupy spaces very well and in different ways, which poses problems for the opponent. They have quality. There are game situations where it won't be easy to take the ball from them. Without the ball, I also like what Losc does. I believe it is the second best defense in Ligue 1. We will play at their home, they are an aggressive team. They are one of the best teams in this championship, they are quite similar in terms of ball usage. I will be delighted to salute Paulo Fonseca and congratulate him for what he is doing with his team.

Comments collected at a press conference