(FILES) Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish head coach Luis Enrique arrives for a press conference of French football club Paris Saint-Germain a day ahead of their UEFA Champions League semi-final match against German club FC Bayern Munich at the PSG Campus in Poissy, north-west of Paris, on April 27, 2026. Has everything in football already been invented? Last few years, two Spanish coachesPep Guardiola and Luis Enriquehave revolutionized the world's most popular sport with defensive and offensive strategies inspired by other sports, such as rugby or water polo. Set-piece goals, particularly from corners, became a major talking point thanks to the Arsenal side managed by Spanish coach Mikel Arteta. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique has hailed the upcoming clash with Racing Club de Lens as a grand celebration of French football, with his side on the brink of securing their 14th Ligue 1 championship.
Following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brest last Saturday—which all but sealed the title—the Parisians travel to Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Wednesday evening for a rescheduled Ligue 1 fixture that could officially confirm their dominance. With a six-point cushion at the summit, a draw or win would be enough to crown them champions, giving them a morale-boosting match just days before their all-important Champions League final.
Luis Enrique: “This match is a festival for French football”
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, the Spanish tactician described the encounter as a unique opportunity to celebrate the beautiful game in France. He also took a moment to congratulate Pierre Sage, Lens’ manager, who was named France’s Coach of the Year at the recent UNFP awards, praising his impressive work in leading the northern outfit to the top flight’s summit this season.
Luis Enrique said: “Both teams arrive with similar objectives: we’re preparing for the Champions League final on May 30, and Lens is set to play the Coupe de France final on May 22. The workload will vary, but we’ll all be looking to make the most of this match. It’s a celebration for French football—we’ll play with intensity, show our quality, and enjoy the experience.”
Lens: the surprise package of the season
The coach acknowledged Lens’ remarkable rise this term, a campaign where few predicted the club would emerge as Paris’ biggest challenger. “At the start of the season, nobody could have imagined what they’ve achieved,” he admitted. “It’s the first time since I’ve been here that a team has truly pushed us. That’s been a great motivation. They deserve their place in Europe next season—congratulations to them and to Pierre Sage for the way his team plays.”
Balancing Ligue 1 and Champions League ambitions
With a 13-day break between the Ligue 1 finale and the Champions League showdown, questions arose about squad management. Luis Enrique reassured that fitness and morale are under close watch, insisting the side will remain razor-sharp. “We’ll handle things individually and show what kind of team we are—ambitious and responsible. Every match in this shirt carries meaning. We see this as a celebration in one of France’s finest stadiums. We’re motivated, and this is the perfect preparation for the Champions League final.”
He added: “When your goal is to reach a final, whether you have a month or a day of rest, you’ll be ready. We’ll use the weekend before with an internal game—that’s our training load. I’m not worried at all.”
Fabián Ruiz: back stronger than ever
The coach also shared his thoughts on midfielder Fabián Ruiz, who has returned from a near three-month layoff. “He may look slow, but he’s one of the fastest players on the pitch—just in a different way. He brings a unique physicality and technical ability, both with and without the ball. Since his comeback, he’s been outstanding. I’m thrilled to have him back at full strength.”
“We’re almost back to full squad fitness—that’s more than positive.”
On personal pride and reflection
When asked if the 2026 Luis Enrique is proud of the 2023 version, he replied with characteristic humor: “Luis Enrique is always proud—especially when I lose! I’ve lost plenty, but I take pride in what I stand for. And what I stand for is my family—and that’s everything to me.”
