Were you frustrated when leaving Bilbao?
Luis Enrique: “Why would I be? No frustration. The game was intense and different. We know Athletic Bilbao well.
We played well.We started well, clear and precise, but Athletic Bilbao's pressing was excellent. We withstood their pressure in the second half, and Unai Simón was the Man of the Match.
The atmosphere was incredible! Athletic Bilbao's pressing caused us a lot of trouble. That's football. It's a bit of a shame, but we need to get more points to reach the top eight.”
How did you feel at the San Mamés Stadium?
“The atmosphere was fantastic. It's great to play in such an environment. We showed the team's quality. The worst thing tonight (Wednesday) was the result. It's a disappointing outcome. Both sides created quite a few scoring chances.”
Will this game help Paris Saint-Germain's team development in the future?
“We are a team, and that's the case in every game. After such an unusual start to the season, I'm really eager for all players to return after Christmas.
But I'm very satisfied with the performance over the past few months. As a team, we're better than last season. We're positive and optimistic.”
Marquinhos got injured in the middle of the game – what happened to him?
“It's nothing serious, but we'll have to wait until tomorrow (Thursday) to find out exactly what's wrong with him.”
What do you think of Bradley Barcola's performance?
“We had two or three chances, and usually, the teammates were in better positions. It's normal for a player to not be perfect in every aspect. All five forwards showed their quality. We created a lot of opportunities.”
Does the lack of efficiency mean it's reasonable to sign players in the winter transfer window?
“Haha. The transfer window motivates you! We're open to any signings.
Lack of efficiency? I disagree. Unai Simón was named Man of the Match. Considering the balance of chances for both sides, we deserved the win.”
How will you handle media interviews in the future?
What will you say to the players?“I never tell you what I say to the players. Before the game, my message was about focus. If we're not focused enough, we'll concede goals. We could have lost the game, but Athletic Bilbao couldn't maintain that rhythm for 90 minutes.”
What did you say to Unai Simón?
“He was absolutely brilliant! I gave him the starting spot (when I coached the Spanish national team). He deserves his current position. He's a top player. I told him: you play your best when you're up against me!”
