Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique said on Friday that his team must keep improving and adjusting if they want to stay successful. Otherwise, they will be “finished.”
Speaking ahead of PSG’s Club World Cup quarter-final against Bayern Munich in Atlanta, the Spanish coach explained that they cannot keep using the same tactics that brought them success in the Champions League.
PSG impressed with an attacking style using three forwards last season, but Enrique made it clear that they can’t rely on that setup forever.
“We’ll have to change it eventually because other teams adapt,” he said. “In football, there is no magic trick. When you beat the press, the opponent finds a new way to stop you. If you create an advantage somewhere, they adjust. That’s how the modern game works. There’s no one system that always wins.”
He added that coaches and players are now smarter, stronger, and more skilled than ever, which means constant change is necessary. “You need to adapt, make adjustments, and keep your opponents guessing. If you don’t, you’re done.”
Luis Enrique also emphasized that PSG’s achievements last season, including their historic treble, won’t be enough in the future. “We can’t just repeat what we did. We have to improve and bring in new ideas if we want to stay at the top.”
Bayern Munich defeated PSG 1-0 back in November during the Champions League group stage. However, since then, PSG have found their rhythm and ended up winning the tournament for the first time in their history.
Ousmane Dembele, who received a red card in that match in Munich, spoke confidently ahead of their upcoming clash: “We have a bit of revenge to take. We know Bayern is a strong team, but we’re much better now than we were in November.”
He added, “A lot has changed. The players have improved, I’ve improved too, and we’re playing with a lot more confidence. We know our roles on the field and believe we can beat anyone.”
Dembele, who is having an outstanding season and is considered one of the Ballon d’Or frontrunners, has only made a short substitute appearance so far in the Club World Cup. He had suffered a quadriceps injury during the Nations League in early June and returned to action in PSG’s 4-0 win over Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.
Now, Dembele says he is fully fit again: “I’m 100 percent ready,” he said. But whether he starts the match against Bayern at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium depends on coach Luis Enrique.
When asked about the starting lineup, Luis Enrique said, “It’s not the right moment to share that with our opponent. You’ll find out tomorrow.”
FAQ
What did Luis Enrique mean by “We’ll be dead without constant improvement”?
Luis Enrique meant that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) must keep improving and evolving if they want to stay competitive. Falling behind in effort or quality could lead to failure, especially at the top level.
When did Luis Enrique make this statement?
He made the statement during a recent press conference or interview while discussing PSG’s performance and future goals. The exact date may vary depending on the match or event context.
Why is Enrique putting pressure on the team to improve?
Because PSG aims to compete at the highest level in both Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League. Enrique believes that maintaining high standards and pushing for growth is the only way to succeed.
Is PSG underperforming right now?
Luis Enrique’s comment suggests concern, but not necessarily that the team is failing—more that there’s always room for improvement, even when things are going well.
What areas of improvement is Enrique talking about?
He could be referring to tactical discipline, defensive stability, finishing, teamwork, or overall consistency—key areas PSG must improve to succeed in Europe.
