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It’s the hit of the year this season at Paris Saint-Germain. Arriving last summer on the bench of the capital club to replace Christophe Galtier, Luis Enrique seduced and made everyone agree.
The Spanish technician has been able to create a new dynamic within the Ile-de-France club and is on his way to achieving a historic season with the Rouge et Bleu. The former coach of the Spain team can mark the history of PSG and French football at the end of the year.
The 53-year-old man was able to give new impetus to the Parisians who were in agony under the leadership of Mauricio Pochettino and Christophe Galtier. How did the Spanish manager manage to change the face of the Ile-de-France residents? What are the keys to its success? Here they are.
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A clear playing philosophy
“My idea of football is attack, attacking football, entertaining for the supporters and above all football that gives good results. This is my challenge. I have help from the club. I think the fans are going to really like what’s going to happen. »
Here are Luis Enrique’s first words during his first press conference as PSG coach. The Spanish manager had already announced the color even before directing his first match and his first training session at the PSG Campus. As soon as he arrived, Luis Enrique imposed his touch and his style of play. A 4-3-3 precise on paper, but flexible in the offensive and defensive phase with a lot of movement.
So yes, everything hasn’t been perfect since the start of the year, but the Spaniard insisted on his playing principles so that his players ended up completely understanding what he wanted to do. At the end of April, there are still some imperfections, but it is clear that its principles are working and bearing fruit.
Unlike previous years, the Rouge et Bleu know exactly how to play, how to attack, how to defend and how to position themselves on the pitch. No matter which players are on the pitch, the Ile-de-France residents’ way of playing will be the same.
2. Healthy and strong competition
“My goal is to have 22 starting players, but I know it’s impossible. But I know that if I slack off, I have to get back to my level. It’s easy and difficult at the same time. When a player doesn’t play, he has to fight to be a starter, to fight. If he doesn’t play and the team wins, that generates competition. It’s very positive. When a player does not play, he can quit. But the objective here is collective and not individual. »
This season, Luis Enrique has constantly repeated that he wants 22 starting players. For him, competition is essential in a very high level club like Paris Saint-Germain. With this competition, he was able to stimulate his players by making them more competitive and combative every weekend. Almost all of his predecessors have failed.
In the past, the Paris Saint-Germain coach had difficulty establishing this system of “competition”. Many players had statuses and were often guaranteed to start in every meeting. Luis Enrique was no exception to the rule. The Spanish coach has used all his players this season and works on merit.
3. A direction behind him
Times have changed at Paris Saint-Germain. For a long time, internal wars between coaches/sports directors or above have polluted the club. This season, the Parisian management seems fully behind its coach. Total trust reigns between three men: Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Luis Campos and Luis Enrique.
And as is often said, a player with confidence can perform well. It’s the same thing for a coach. He can work calmly and make his choices.
4. A united workforce
5. Fulfilled players, who reveal themselves or who progress
In addition to having established a framework, Luis Enrique helped several players progress and restored confidence in some. We can take the case of Vitinha and Warren Zaire-Emery.
The first of the two started his Parisian adventure well last season before sinking in the second half of the season and losing confidence in himself. Since Luis Enrique has been present, the Portuguese has shined and finally shows his entire technical and tactical palette. “ He is incredible. He brings us a lot. In the tactics, in the head, I think that is the most important, the way he speaks to us, the way he makes us believe that it is on our side. It’s incredible, he deserves too much in this quarter-final, it must be said. He’s an incredible coach,” he declared after the victory against Barça.
For Warren Zaire-Emery, the situation is slightly different. The Parisian titi made his first appearances last season with Christophe Galtier. But from the start of the 23/24 financial year, Luis Enrique was amazed by the Parisian crack. The former La Roja coach therefore placed his trust in the Frenchman by lining him up in his starting 11 despite his young age. A series of matches which allowed number 33 to let loose and show what he was capable of. The following ? We know her.
Written by:
Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team.
 
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