Luis Enrique reinforces PSG’s ambition and admits his concerns about the squad before the Intercontinental

Luis Enrique is experiencing days of waiting at PSG. Close to the decision of the Intercontinental Cup, scheduled for Wednesday (17), in Qatar, the coach tries to balance the emphasis on the search for the title with the concern to recover important players after a series of injuries that marked the first half of the season.

PSG have suffered from constant absences and Hakimi is already ruled out of the final due to a sprained left ankle. Other important names are also worrying. Dembélé remains out with a virus that took him out of the Champions League draw against Athletic Bilbao, while Marquinhos is still not 100% after a hip problem and risks not playing in the decider. Beraldo and goalkeeper Chevalier were linked again for this Saturday’s duel against Metz, but are still treated as doubtful.

Luis Enrique admitted that absences weigh on the team’s performance. Regarding Brazilian defender Marquinhos, he was direct.

“There is no reason to worry, but I don’t know if he will be available for the Intercontinental,” the coach said.

PSG commits to the Intercontinental

Despite the team’s physical problems, Luis Enrique assured that PSG were fully committed to the Intercontinental Cup title. In this way he rejected any notion that Europeans might enter less motivated than Flamengo or Pyramids.

“I think it’s the same motivation for them as it is for us. Whether it’s Pyramids or Flamengo, the motivation, the importance of the trophy, I think it’s the same thing,” he said.

Before leaving for Qatar, the team faces Metz again in the French Championship. The match takes place this Saturday (13), almost simultaneously with the semi-final between Flamengo and Pyramids, which will define PSG’s opponent in the final. In Ligue 1, the Parisian club occupies second place with 33 points, one behind Lens. In the Champions League, it appears as the third best campaign after six rounds, with four wins, one draw and one defeat.

After winning their first Champions League in May, PSG had a chance to win the world title mid-year, but ended up losing to Chelsea in the Club World Cup final. He will now have a new opportunity and Luis Enrique is keen to reinforce the value of this achievement.

“These are trophies that you have the possibility of winning, they are very important and it is good for us to know their importance. And, I repeat, I think it is the same importance for both teams”, he concluded.

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