Luis Enrique unsure of Paris Saint-Germain players’ fitness before UEFA Super Cup

Luis Enrique says he does not know what level his Paris Saint-Germain players will reach when they face Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.

The European champions meet Aston Villa at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, Austria, with the match coming after an unusual pre-season in which members of the squad returned from their summer break at different times.

“I am fortunate to have players who are always enthusiastic. They do not need extra motivation because they are always looking to improve,” Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique said at his pre-match news conference.

However, he admitted the delayed returns of several players had made preparations difficult.

“Some players only came back last Monday, while others returned last week. We are trying to prepare in the best way possible. I do not know what level my players will be at tomorrow after their rest at home, but we will try to win a tough match.”

Luis Enrique also said it was too early to confirm his starting line-up, after Paris Saint-Germain were without a number of players during their pre-season fixtures.

“In the pre-season matches, we had many players absent, so it is difficult to determine who will play,” he said.

He described the build-up to the campaign as “a little different and unusual”, pointing to the staggered arrival of players and the recent return of those who had represented their countries at the World Cup.

“I hope we can show the same competitive level that we had last year. It is our first official match, but it is important for us. We want to enjoy another unforgettable year with our supporters as well.”

Paris Saint-Germain have set ambitious targets for the new season, with Luis Enrique acknowledging that expectations remain high after the club’s previous successes.

“We set very ambitious goals from the beginning, and we will continue in the same way. Everyone believes that we are still capable of winning. But this is only theoretical talk; we have to prove on the pitch that we are up to the responsibility,” he said.

“We are looking forward to winning again, but history has shown that it is not easy. We want to achieve the treble.”

Asked about a dispute involving FIFA president Gianni Infantino and UEFA, Luis Enrique declined to elaborate.

“I have an opinion, but I will not talk about it here because this is not the right place. I am focused on my players and my work. UEFA and Infantino represent politicians, and I am not a politician.”

Luis Enrique was also questioned about Paris Saint-Germain’s reported interest in Barcelona forward Ferran Torres. He said he would not discuss the transfer market and preferred to focus on the players currently at his club.

“I do not talk about the transfer market, but about the current Paris Saint-Germain players. Spanish football has maintained its place at the top for many years. I hope this is the beginning of great success for the national team and Spanish football.”

Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly made a €40m offer for Ferran Torres, but Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reported that Barcelona’s board had rejected the proposal.