Paris Saint-Germain left the Vélodrome with the Classique and a 2-1 victory on Sunday night, surviving Marseille’s early resistance before taking control after the interval.
Luis Enrique said the win mattered particularly because it gave Paris supporters a memorable night in one of French football’s most charged settings. The PSG coach described a familiar kind of contest in Marseille: intense from the opening whistle, difficult to settle, and only gradually opened up by the visitors.
PSG find room after Marseille’s defensive effort
PSG struggled to create clear chances in the first half as Marseille defended with discipline and energy. Luis Enrique felt his side tried to manage the match but were unable to produce many openings before the break.
“There was nothing unusual about it at the Vélodrome. It is a Classique,” he said. “The first few minutes were difficult and we tried to control the game. We did not create many chances because they defended very well.”
The Paris coach believed Marseille’s heavy defensive workload eventually created the spaces PSG needed. His side began the second half strongly, generating far more dangerous situations and finding the net, although Marseille replied quickly to keep the contest alive.
“We started the second half brilliantly and created a lot,” Luis Enrique said. “We scored, but then conceded almost immediately. In the end, we gave our supporters a good moment.”
Asked what he had said at half-time, the Spaniard gave little away, saying he could not remember. Instead, he pointed to Marseille’s first-half work without the ball as the main reason for PSG’s improved second-half display.
“Against a team like ours, you have to make a huge effort,” he said. “There is more space afterwards, and we deserved to win.”
Torres praised for form and movement
Luis Enrique also highlighted Ferran Torres, who continued his scoring run. The forward has made a sharp impact in Ligue 1, with the PSG coach especially pleased by his ability to operate centrally and repeatedly threaten behind opposition defences.
“He is in an incredible spell,” Luis Enrique said. “He is particularly strong through the middle and is always making runs.”
The coach linked Torres’ form to the quality of service around him, naming Viti, Beraldo, Fabian, Neves and Warren as midfielders capable of supplying the passes that suit the attacker’s movement.
Luis Enrique added that he was pleased with every player brought into the squad, believing the new arrivals were providing important qualities as PSG continue to develop. “We are very happy to have him,” he said of Torres.
Confidence in Marseille despite defeat
Despite Marseille’s loss, Luis Enrique offered a positive assessment of the home side’s early-season direction. He described the club’s current period as a particular one, but expressed confidence that their experienced coach could help guide the team forward.
“They have a very good coach with a lot of experience,” he said. “He will help the team. I am confident.”
