Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has publicly backed his squad, refusing to let a stunning domestic cup defeat shake his belief in their quality. The shock result saw the reigning champions knocked out of the French Cup by local rivals Paris FC at home.
Enrique's Unwavering Confidence After Cup Setback
Speaking ahead of PSG's crucial Ligue 1 match against Lille this Friday, the Spanish coach addressed the unexpected 1-0 loss. He firmly dismissed any growing doubts about the team's credentials following the upset.
"Honestly, if anyone has any doubts about our team… they should drop them," Enrique stated emphatically. "What’s the problem? People think we’re going to win all the trophies and all of our matches? Football doesn’t work that way. You have to highlight what we’ve accomplished. I have no doubts about the type of team we are."
This defence comes despite a noticeable dip from last season's historic achievements. PSG secured an unprecedented treble in the 2024/25 campaign, clinching Ligue 1, the French Cup, and the UEFA Champions League.
Struggles to Replicate Last Season's Form
The current season has presented more challenges for the Parisian giants. They currently sit second in Ligue 1, one point behind surprise leaders Lens, and are now out of the French Cup.
A key issue has been replicating their previous attacking prowess, with injuries disrupting rhythm. Even the return of stars like Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé and Desire Doue has not fully restored their cutting edge.
The cup loss to Paris FC highlighted this problem starkly. PSG managed 25 attempts with seven on target but failed to score, while their opponents scored once from just four shots.
Focus Shifts to League and European Glory
Enrique has chosen to frame the cup elimination as a potential catalyst for success in their remaining competitions. He indicated that domestic cup glory was not the primary objective this term.
"The French Cup was not the top priority this season," he admitted. "I hope our elimination will be a motivation for Ligue 1 and the Champions League, which are the most important competitions."
PSG are well-placed in their Champions League group, aiming to secure a top-eight finish and bypass the play-offs. Their next test is a tough away fixture against Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Ligue 1 title race intensifies. Leaders Lens, on a nine-match winning streak, will be without top scorer Odsonne Edouard for their match against Auxerre. Marseille, in third, face a must-win game against Angers to keep their fading hopes alive, trailing Lens by eight points.
This weekend also features the in-form Monaco hosting Lorient and Lyon, boosted by debutant Endrick's winning goal, facing Brest. The young Brazilian, on loan from Real Madrid, aims to use his time in France to earn a spot in Brazil's World Cup squad.
