Enrique: I believe Dembele s performance can improve. We must build a system that can attack in the best way.

At 2:45 am on August 23, in the second round of the 2025-26 Ligue 1 season, Paris Saint-Germain will play against Angers at home. Before the game, Paris coach Enrique attended the press conference and talked about some of the current situation of the team.

About Ligue 1 team shrinking defense

- I think this is a habit, we saw it two years ago, and I think it will be the same in the future. We're used to fighting teams that shrink defense, and it's always difficult. You don't have time to think, you don't have time to perform your movements, but we're used to it, and this is the most familiar stage of the game.

About returning to Princes Park Stadium

—We miss this stadium very much and our fans very much. Playing football at Princes Park is always great, the atmosphere is completely different. We've played 10 away games recently, so it's time to enjoy the cheers of the fans. We want to play at our best and we will be fully prepared for this game.

About the transfer window

—Our obligation is to remain open until the transfer window is over. We were happy with the team’s signing, but we were all ready no matter what the situation was.

Feelings about resuming training

- The feeling of touching the ball is like the first interview after the holidays, after three weeks of not touching the ball, the feeling of the first week... I remember that as a player, the situation was always different. The match against Angers will be tough and we have to keep our heads clear and ready.

Regarding the importance of substitutes

- This is especially important in the first few weeks, but it has been the case last season. We are used to seeing substitutes as important players, which, in my opinion, is a characteristic of our team.

About Safonov and Zabarney's relationship

—Sports, especially football, are the best way to get people into and unite, rather than splitting people, sports and players above politicians' political or economic interests.

About Shevalier and the decision to let him replace Donaruma

-It is always difficult to make these decisions, I am fine with making these decisions, but I will not explain anything about the Parisian players, I am not interested. I can understand the criticism of our decisions, of my decisions, but we are calm and relaxed, we know what the goal is, and that is always the most important thing to me.

About Dembele

- This will be a challenge for Dembele, because he performed very well last year, but I believe he can improve his performance. He is a very important player, both offense and defense, always with a smile, and I hope this year will be better for him and the team.

About Dembele's long-range shooting ability

- This is not only a technical innovation, but also one of the solutions you must find when facing a contraction defense. I'm glad to have a player with this kind of long-range shooting ability.

Are you superstitious before the game?

—No, I am not superstitious. I am proud of my work, and I am not superstitious about anything else. When I was a player, I was a little superstitious, but as a coach, I was not superstitious. For me, superstition is easy. If a player performs well in training, he should play, and his age, nationality, etc. don't matter.

About the lineup

- All we can do is strengthen what we think is important in the game, we need to build a system that can attack in the best way and be good at putting pressure. We know more or less what the game will look like before the game, but we have to observe the players’ status because they are not machines, depending on each game.

About changing

- This is my job, the team's job, and the club's job. They must be prepared to deal with unpredictable situations, dare to make a difference, and have more choices. That's why we made the decision and why we continued to sign players, but it's not public. Will the

club show more behind the scenes on the show?

- We have shown everything, no more.