Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique dismissed any suggestions of dressing room disharmony as the reigning European champions prepare to face domestic rivals Monaco in midweek for the continental title.
PSG are struggling to recapture the glorious form they had in the second half of last season, when they played stunning football and won the Champions League for the first time in their history.
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The club from the French capital were knocked off the top of the Ligue 1 table after losing 3-1 away to Rennes at the weekend, leaving Lens at the top of the table.
They have already started 2026 having been eliminated from the Coupe de France by local rivals Paris FC and finished 11th in the Champions League stage. They have failed to win in their last three European competitions, leaving them facing this play-off tie for a place in the last 16.
Last year’s Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé attacked his colleagues after the defeat at Rennes because he felt too many had stopped playing for the collective.
“If we want to win games we need to play for PSG because if we all play just for ourselves it won’t work and we won’t win the trophies we want to win,” Dembélé said in a post-match TV interview.
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“Last season we put the club first and ourselves second, so I think we need to start thinking like that again.”
Luis Enrique was asked about the comments after arriving in Monaco on Monday, on the eve of their Champions League play-off first leg against the Principality.
“There is always noise around PSG and we just have to accept it,” said the Spaniard, who said Rennes’ defeat was “cruel” for him.
“It’s true that we wanted to go into this game with a win, but now it’s Champions League time and we’re all motivated.”
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Paris Saint-Germain are favorites to beat Monaco, who are eighth in Ligue 1 and 20 points behind their opponents.
However, Monaco has recently regained its form after a poor performance. The last time the two teams met was at the Stade Louis II in late November, they defeated Paris Saint-Germain 1-0.
“We need to believe we can get the result otherwise the game is meaningless,” insisted Monaco coach Sebastian Pocognoli, who cast doubt on the fitness of France international midfielder Magnis Akliusz.
Monaco captain Denis Zakaria added: “If we are not 100 per cent and do not play a perfect game, it will be difficult for us.”
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