With a crucial Champions League clash in Dortmund to come on Wednesday, Paris Saint-Germain would be forgiven for taking their foot off the gas against Nantes tomorrow evening – especially as they sit four points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
In his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, Luis Enrique indicated that there could be some rotation in the team that welcomes Les Canaris to the Parc des Princes on Saturday. The Spaniard is nevertheless wary of the threat posed by a revitalised Nantes team, a week after Jocelyn Gourvennec’s first match in charge saw them put an end to Nice’s unbeaten start to the campaign.
“Teams tend to switch things up against us. Tomorrow’s game could end up being more open, but it doesn’t change our objective at all. We have to be ready to go up against any system, whether that’s with more or less pressure. It’s important for us to put in a good performance at home, make the difference up front and play at a high level in order to prepare for the Dortmund match.”
The head coach also confirmed that captain Marquinhos and teenage midfielder Warren-Zaïre-Emery would both be available for selection again after injury absences.
On recent suggestions that Kylian Mbappé could make a long-term switch to a central forward role, Luis Enrique indicated that the France captain had “complete freedom” in the PSG attack. “He has some defensive duties, like all players, but he has freedom to go on the wing, up front, or as a false nine. He played the last game [against Le Havre] as he did the others before that.”
The forward is currently the league’s top scorer – an title now honoured with a badge worn on each matchday – with 15 strikes, 8 clear of Montpellier’s Akor Adams in second place.
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin
