During a press conference held this Tuesday, the Spanish head coach expressed his desire to fully embrace the upcoming fixture against their closest competitor, Racing Club de Lens. This pivotal encounter could see Paris Saint-Germain officially crowned French champions as early as Wednesday.

Just three days after their crucial 1-0 victory over Brest, which virtually guaranteed their 14th French league title, PSG now has the opportunity to definitively secure their championship. The Champions League finalists will journey to face their second-placed rivals, Racing Club de Lens, this Wednesday evening (9 PM) for a rescheduled match from the 29th round of Ligue 1. With a six-point lead, a draw or a win in this game will officially confirm their coronation.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Luis Enrique conveyed his eagerness to savor this contest, which he views as a grand celebration for French football. The Spanish manager also took a moment to commend Pierre Sage, the coach of Lens, for earning the title of best coach of the season at Monday’s UNFP Trophies.

Can this match against Lens serve as a foundational preparation for the Champions League final for available key players, or do you intend to employ a similar strategy to the Brest game with significant squad rotation?

LUIS ENRIQUE. Both teams find themselves in comparable situations: we are set to play the Champions League final on the 30th, and Lens has the Coupe de France final on the 22nd. The playing time for tomorrow’s match will vary, as individual player data is crucial. I believe Pierre Sage will adopt a similar approach to mine; it’s essential to enjoy tomorrow’s game. It truly is a celebration for French football! We anticipate a highly entertaining match where we’ll strive to demonstrate our capabilities.

Did you foresee Lens posing such a strong challenge this season?

We have certainly highlighted Lens’s remarkable performance this season. At the beginning of the campaign, no one could have predicted their journey. This is the first time since my arrival here that a team has presented such significant challenges to us. It served as a strong motivation for our squad. They fully deserve their place in the Champions League. My congratulations go out to them. Tomorrow (Wednesday), we aim to relish a top-tier match against a Champions League-caliber team. Congratulations also to Pierre Sage for the impressive style of play his team exhibits.

“We will demonstrate the caliber of our team”

Is it problematic to have a thirteen-day gap between the final Ligue 1 match and the Champions League final?

Effective management of these two matches is vital. This game against Lens comes just three days after the Brest fixture. We have players undergoing medical assessments, and some have played two consecutive matches. We will manage each player individually, and we will showcase the type of team we are and our unwavering ambition. Every time we wear this jersey, it carries immense responsibility. I view this as a festive occasion in one of France’s finest stadiums. We are highly motivated! This serves as the ultimate preparation for the Champions League final. We will prepare thoroughly and plan to play an internal scrimmage a weekend before the final as part of our training load. I am not concerned. When your objective is to reach the final, whether you have a month or a day of rest, it won’t be an issue; you will be ready!

Why were you absent from the UNFP Trophies on Monday?

I never attend such celebratory events. I prefer to stay home and analyze Arsenal. I am pleased to see PSG players being honored; it is well-deserved. Those who won truly earned it. My sincere congratulations to Pierre Sage, as he thoroughly deserves to win the award for best coach of the season. What he has accomplished is truly incredible.

“Luis Enrique is always proud of himself”

Éric Roy and Pierre Sage have both commended your team’s season. Are you touched to witness such support for PSG from within French football?

This is incredibly positive. Éric Roy has consistently spoken highly of us; he is a gentleman whom I deeply respect. He previously won the best coach award. It’s affirming to see this recognition. We appreciate these sentiments and are genuinely pleased. It is well-deserved because we always strive to show respect to our opponents, including teams like Olympique de Marseille. It’s wonderful to feel this.

How do you assess Fabián Ruiz’s return to competitive play?

He might appear slow, but he is actually one of the quickest players! He is a distinctive player, one I greatly admire. He provides both physical prowess and technical ability to execute actions with and without the ball. He was sidelined for almost three months, and upon his return, he made a significant contribution. I am delighted to have him available. We now have nearly all our players ready, which is more than just positive.

Is the Luis Enrique who arrived in 2023 proud of the Luis Enrique of 2026?

Luis Enrique is perpetually proud of himself, especially when I face defeat. I have experienced many losses, yet I remain immensely proud of what I embody, because I represent my family. And my family is paramount to me.