Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique stated that no player will be allowed to overshadow the club as they prepare for the first leg of their Champions League knockout phase playoff against AS Monaco on Tuesday.
Enrique’s comments came in response to remarks made by Ousmane Dembélé following PSG’s shocking 3-1 defeat to Rennes in Ligue 1 on Friday, a loss that caused the team to slip from the top spot to second place behind Lens.
Dembélé suggested that the squad has been too focused on individual play, stating, “If we play as individuals, it won’t work.”
However, Enrique quickly dismissed these assertions, declaring, “The players’ comments after the game are meaningless. Completely meaningless.”
“The same goes for the coaches’ statements, but what the players say is irrelevant. I will not respond to any player’s remarks,” he continued. “I will never allow any player to think they are more important than the club. Not me, not the sporting director, nor the president.”
“Such statements are the product of frustration after a match, and that is clear. We have nothing to lose.”
PSG was hoping to extend their lead at the top of the league with a win over Rennes, but despite controlling possession, they suffered an unexpected defeat to a team without a manager.
They fell behind to Musa Al-Taamari’s first-half goal, and after Esteban Lepaul doubled Rennes’ lead in the 69th minute, Dembélé managed to pull one back. However, Breel Embolo sealed the match for Rennes, making it 3-1.
In the aftermath, Dembélé directed criticism at unnamed teammates, saying, “First and foremost, we need to play for PSG to win matches. If we only think of ourselves on the pitch, we won’t achieve the titles we aim for.”
“Last season, we prioritized the club above everything else. We need to regain that mindset, especially now,” he added. “We are in the latter half of the season, and PSG must take precedence over individual players.”
The team faces Monaco in a two-leg battle in hopes of advancing to the Champions League round of 16, having failed to build on last season’s success and currently sitting 11th in the league.
Enrique’s effective man-management has fostered greater team unity within PSG, as he made it clear that, unlike previous seasons with high-profile players like Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, and Lionel Messi, no individual would be favored.
Dembélé learned this lesson the hard way when he was benched for a Champions League match against Arsenal early in the season due to disciplinary reasons. It ultimately paid off, as he went on to net 35 goals and help PSG secure their first Champions League title. However, this season has been different, with injuries affecting key players throughout the campaign.
Dembélé has struggled to build a cohesive partnership in attack with teammates like Désiré Doué, as both have faced injuries multiple times.
Last season, PSG advanced past the last 16 by defeating Brest 10-0 over the two legs, but they face a tougher challenge against Monaco, who previously defeated PSG in Ligue 1 and have kept four clean sheets in their last six matches.
Monaco’s coach, Sébastien Pocognoli, is monitoring the fitness of midfielders Maghnes Akliouche and Lamine Camara, and winger Ansu Fati, while emphasizing that the outcome of this tie won’t define their season’s success.
“For me, the biggest challenge is securing a successful season,” Pocognoli said. “[Tuesday’s] match is part of that objective. There’s no extra pressure facing PSG in the Champions League, even though they are the defending champions eager to reclaim their trophy. We are the underdogs, and we must embrace that role and do everything we can to compete for qualification.”
Information from PA and The Associated Press was used in this report.