Luis Enrique has labeled his squad as “99.9% champions” as they prepare for their trip to face second-placed Lens this Wednesday. Boasting a six-point advantage and a superior goal difference of fifteen, the domestic title is virtually secured for the capital club, regardless of the result at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
This lack of genuine pressure suits the manager, who is fixated on a single goal: ensuring his players are in peak physical and mental condition for the showdown against Arsenal on May 30 in the Champions League final. The strategy involves managing the fitness of key starters while providing vital match rhythm to the rest of the squad.
Strategic rotation and player workload
During the semi-final second leg in Munich, it was noted that eight of the eleven starters had played fewer than 1,350 minutes in domestic competition this season. Luis Enrique is expected to continue this trend of calibrated squad management against Lens. “The priority is to analyze individual workloads so we arrive at the Champions League final in the best possible shape,” the manager noted following the recent victory over Brest.
“We will be competitive in Lens, but our eyes are firmly fixed on the match on May 30.”
Luis Enrique, PSG manager
The players share this perspective. Désiré Doué, who scored the winner against Brest, acknowledged the quality of Lens but insisted that a league game cannot compare to a European final. While some attackers rested recently, others like Fabian Ruiz and Marquinhos, who played significant minutes in Munich, might be the next to be preserved by the coaching staff.
Testing tactical innovations
The upcoming fixtures serve as a laboratory for tactical experiments. Lucas Beraldo has been increasingly utilized in a defensive midfield role, while 19-year-old Senny Mayulu has impressed as a right-back. Enrique highlighted that playing as a full-back for Paris Saint-Germain requires a significant “motor,” a quality he believes Mayulu possesses alongside his technical skills.
Mayulu’s performances against Lorient and Brest suggest he is a viable alternative for the right-hand side of the defense, especially if Achraf Hakimi is not fully recovered for the final.
Lens shifts focus to the cup
Even for Lens, the intensity of this “title decider” has faded. Having secured second place, manager Pierre Sage is now prioritizing the Coupe de France final against Nice. “The runner-up spot is confirmed; now we need the cup,” Sage stated after a victory over Nantes.
The Lens coach admitted that catching the leaders was always a tall order. “We tried to push them, but our season had too many inconsistencies. To beat them, you need perfection,” he remarked. Sage concluded by praising the champions-elect, predicting they would likely secure their second Champions League trophy later this month.