Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique is determined to take things one match at a time as his side prepare for test matches at the start of their Champions League campaign.
It’s good to head to the Parc des Princes on Friday night before PSG open their Group F schedule at home to Borussia Dortmund and then host arch-rivals Marseille.
It’s a run of games that looks set to bolster PSG’s squad after the international break during which Kylian Mbappe picked up an injury.
Medical news ahead #PSGOGCN@Aspetar
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) September 14, 2023
However, Enrique believes that PSG have enough strength to see the job through.
“We are focused on one match, the next one is against Nice. We don’t think about who will be next,” Enrique said at a press conference.
“We are used to three-match weeks – we have a squad with two or three position players at the top level.
“It is very important to manage this well if we are to achieve our goals. Every player is ready, they will all play and they will all be important in what will be a long season.”
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Mbappe missed France’s defeat to Germany on Tuesday with a minor knee injury, which PSG said was a patellar tendon problem, but was able to take part in training again on Thursday.
“He felt uncomfortable, tomorrow we will discuss whether he can play against Nice, but I think he will be ready,” said former Barcelona and Spain coach Enrique.
Midfielder Fabian Ruiz faces a calf test, while striker Marco Asensio also picked up a foot problem while on international duty with Spain and is expected to be out until at least the end of the month.
PSG will beat leaders Monaco on Friday night, having recorded two wins and two draws from their first four matches.
Nice are also unbeaten in Ligue 1 so far, opening the new season with three draws and then beating Strasbourg before the international break.
Enrique said: “Nice are a team that works hard. They take few risks and are brave with and without the ball.
“It will be a difficult opponent for them, but we want to start this series of matches successfully.
“We want to impose our style of play, but our next opponents will also want to do the same.”
Paris Saint-Germain will celebrate this Friday at the Parc des Princes