PSG must 'live up to our status as champions', insists Luis Enrique ahead of Paris derby
PSG Must 'Live Up to Our Status as Champions', Insists Luis Enrique
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have already secured the Ligue 1 title for the fifth consecutive season, but coach Luis Enrique is determined to see his team finish their domestic campaign in style. Ahead of their final league match against local rivals Paris FC, the Spanish manager challenged his players to uphold the club's prestige as French champions.
PSG clinched the title with a 2-0 victory over Lens last week, with Lens having posed a significant challenge for much of the season. Now, with the Ligue 1 crown already secured, the focus turns to their final match, which will also serve as preparation for the upcoming Champions League final against Arsenal in early June.
Enrique emphasized the importance of finishing the season strong, stating, "It's the last match for us. We're champions, but our goal is to win the game. It's a derby, and we have to live up to our status as French champions. We're happy to play this last game almost at home, in the sense that we don't have a real trip to make. The close proximity of the two stadiums makes it very special. Paris FC deserve to stay up; they're a good team. We want to perform and play with ambition."
Despite their status as heavy favorites, PSG are not taking the match lightly. Paris FC have won four of their last five Ligue 1 home games and could potentially finish the season in 11th place, their highest ever in the top flight. Enrique acknowledged the challenge, adding, "It was a special season, we have said it regularly. I'm very happy with the attitude that we have shown, the resilience, which is a word I like. Lens have had a great season, too, and that made things difficult for us. It's great to win in the end."
PSG's preparations for the Champions League final are also in focus. Their absence from the Coupe de France final this season means they have a 13-day gap between their final Ligue 1 match and the Champions League showpiece. Enrique confirmed that the team will use this time to prepare thoroughly: "We don't have a Coupe de France final to play this season, so we're going to work well ahead of the [Champions League] final. We're going to study every aspect that we want to work on. We want to get there at our best technically and physically. And there are no favourites in a final."
Key Players to Watch
Paris FC – Ilan Kebbal
Kebbal is Paris FC's top scorer in Ligue 1 this season with nine goals. The Algeria international could become the fourth player in the club's history to reach double figures in a top-flight campaign, following in the footsteps of legends like Louis Floch and Jean-Francois Beltramini.
Paris Saint-Germain – Desire Doue
Doue has been in excellent form recently, providing an assist against Lens and being involved in at least one goal in each of his last four Ligue 1 matches. The forward could equal his record for direct involvements in a single top-flight campaign (12 in 2024-25).
Match Prediction
According to statistics, PSG are strong favorites to win the match. They are unbeaten in their last 26 Ligue 1 matches against newly promoted sides and have kept six clean sheets in their last seven away matches in all competitions. PSG also have the joint-fewest penalties conceded in Ligue 1 this season (four – one scored), while Paris FC have conceded the most (12 – eight scored).
OPTA's win probability predicts a 55.8% chance of a PSG win, 22.2% for a draw, and 22% for Paris FC to win.