Luis Enrique: "Have a high tempo from the start of the match"
The Paris Saint-Germain coach answered questions from the media ahead of his side's Matchday 19 Ligue 1 clash with Stade Brestois 29 at the Parc des Princes on Sunday 28 January at 8.45pm.
BREST
"I think Brest will stick with their system, with a four-man defence. It will depend on us and how we manage the ball. They will play to win. Brest have an exceptional record, both home and away, and they concede very few goals. It's no coincidence that they're third in the table. They deserve it. Their statistics are impressive. Brest will play this game to win it."
START OF THE MATCH
"My aim is to give our opponents as few options as possible. At the start of the match, we're fresher. We have to be strong from the start, but scoring quickly isn't necessarily an objective. If you do, that's great, but it's a process. The important thing is to have a high tempo from the start, to have possession of the ball, and for the opposition to lose it quickly. The opposition's level can drop in the second half of a match. We often open the scoring, but it's not a question of strategy whether you want to score from the start or not. You have to wear your opponent down right from the start."
BRADLEY BARCOLA
"When we sign a player, the aim is to see how he adapts and fits in with the group, regardless of his age. We don't take age into account, but how easily he can adapt. We look at his attitude, the way he is in training... After that, it's normal for players to have their ups and downs. But the best way to show your worth is in training."
YOUTH
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't like working with young players, but I also like working with more experienced players. You can be surprised by certain players. Some adapt quickly, others not. As a coach, I want the players to progress. That's my objective, whether they're young or not. What I want are players who are hungry. You can be hungry at thirty-five. What makes the difference is desire. That's what we're looking for."