Luis Enrique Warns PSG: “We’ll Be Dead Without Constant Improvement”

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique has made it clear that continuous improvement is crucial for the team’s long-term success. Speaking before PSG’s Club World Cup quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich in Atlanta, Enrique warned that relying on past achievements or sticking to one tactical formula would only lead to failure. The Spanish manager stressed the importance of adapting to changing challenges in modern football, where opponents are constantly evolving and strategizing. While PSG’s dynamic attacking trio helped them secure a historic treble last season, Enrique knows that strategy won’t always work. “We’ll have to change it eventually because other teams adapt,” he said. “In football, there is no magic trick. When you beat one type of press, the opponent finds another way to stop you. If you create an advantage in one area, they adjust. That’s how today’s game works.”

Enrique highlighted that both coaches and players across the world are now smarter and more skilled than ever, making football even more competitive. “You need to adapt, make adjustments, and keep your opponents guessing. If you don’t, you’re done,” he added. His point was clear—PSG cannot sit comfortably on the success of last season. While the team won the Champions League, Ligue 1, and the French Cup, Enrique believes that doing the same things won’t be enough to stay at the top. “We can’t just repeat what we did. We have to improve and bring in new ideas if we want to remain competitive,” he said.

The match against Bayern Munich brings extra tension, as the German side beat PSG 1-0 in the Champions League group stage last November. But PSG’s form improved significantly after that loss, eventually culminating in their first-ever Champions League triumph. Forward Ousmane Dembele, who was sent off during that November defeat in Munich, shared his thoughts on the upcoming rematch. “We have a bit of revenge to take. We know Bayern is a strong team, but we’re much better now than we were in November,” Dembele said confidently.

He pointed out that many things have changed since then—both for him personally and for the team as a whole. “The players have improved, I’ve improved too, and we’re playing with a lot more confidence. We know exactly what to do on the field and believe we can beat anyone,” he added. Dembele has been in incredible form this season and is now considered one of the top contenders for the Ballon d’Or. However, due to a quadriceps injury he suffered during the Nations League in early June, he has only played a limited role so far in the Club World Cup. He made his comeback in PSG’s recent 4-0 victory over Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, appearing as a substitute.

Now fully recovered, Dembele declared, “I’m 100 percent ready.” But whether or not he will start against Bayern is a decision only Luis Enrique can make. When asked about his lineup plans, Enrique refused to reveal any details. “It’s not the right moment to give information to my opponent—we’ll see tomorrow,” he said with a smile.

As PSG prepares to face one of Europe’s strongest clubs once again, the message from both the coach and players is clear: improvement, evolution, and adaptability are the keys to surviving and thriving at the highest level. Whether PSG can continue to innovate and build on their recent success will be tested on the pitch, starting with a high-stakes encounter against Bayern Munich in Atlanta.