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LUIS ENRIQUE SHOWS COMPOSURE, NO URGENT PSG RECRUITMENT DESPITE INJURIES

PSG coach Luis Enrique says there is "no rush" for January signings despite injuries to Dembele, Hakimi, and Mendes. He insists the club is calm and will use the situation to give other players opportunities.

Luis Enrique shows composure, no urgent PSG recruitment despite injuries
Luis Enrique focused on stability - COURTESY/PHOTO

Despite the injuries to important players Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi, and Nuno Mendes, Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique said on Saturday that there was "no pressure" to sign during the winter transfer window.

After suffering injuries during Tuesday's crushing 2-1 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich, the three will be sidelined for several weeks.

The European champions stated that Dembele, the winner of the Ballon d'Or, will require a several weeks of treatment due to a calf issue.

Mendes hurt his left knee, and Hakimi was diagnosed with a badly sprained left ankle that will keep him out for several weeks.

On Sunday, Paris Saint-Germain, the leaders of Ligue 1, will go to Lyon.

Luis Enrique stated during a press conference before the game, "We are always open to transfer opportunities, but there is no rush, no need to hurry."

The three players' absences add to an already long list of injuries, which also featured Desire Doue, who was carted off last week during a Ligue 1 match at Lorient due to a thigh issue.

The coach went on to say, "Everything has to be planned."

"They are injuries, of course, but every team has them, so there is no issue. We are not anxious; we are at ease and relaxed."

Luis Enrique continued, highlighting the favourable aspects of this "quite atypical" start to the season: "Every obstacle brings opportunity to give playing time to (other) players."

On Sunday, South Korean winger Lee Kang-in might play in his 100th PSG game.

Coach Paulo Fonseca has informed that Lyon captain Corentin Tolisso is uncertain due to a hamstring issue.

"I have my reservations, but we will see if he can play," Fonseca said at a press conference.

"Playing with him is really dangerous. For the next matches, I do not want to lose him."

Lyon's leading scorer, attacking midfielder Pavel Sulc, is also sidelined because of a hamstring issue.

At the top of the standings, PSG leads Marseille by two points, while Lyon is four points behind the leaders in sixth place.

HOW MATVEI SAFONOV SAVED TWO PENALTIES WITH A BROKEN HAND WITHOUT FEELING PAIN

Matvei Safonov saved two penalties with a broken hand to help PSG win the Intercontinental Cup. Get the full medical update here.

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How Matvei Safonov Saved Two Penalties With A Broken Hand Without Feeling Pain

On Wednesday in Qatar, during the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, PSG's Matvey Safonov saved Flamengo’s Leo Pereira’s penalty in the shootout. (Reuters)

PSG coach Luis Enrique mentioned yesterday that Matvei Safonov may have saved two penalties with a broken hand, which helped Paris Saint-Germain win the Intercontinental Cup.

The Russian goalie blocked four penalty kicks during the shootout in Qatar on Wednesday. PSG barely beat Flamengo to win the trophy.

Luis Enrique said, “The player doesn’t even know how he did it.

“We believe it happened on the third penalty kick. He moved strangely and fractured his hand. He saved the last two shots despite the fracture. The adrenaline was so strong that he didn't feel any pain. It’s amazing.”

The club stated that “they will share more updates in three to four weeks.”

Luis Enrique, who has dealt with many injuries this season, mentioned he hasn’t spoken to Safonov yet.

Luis Enrique added, “It’s karma. Life is telling him he needs to rest and get better. With his attitude, he’ll be back stronger.”

Luis Enrique spoke before facing Vendee Fontenay in the French Cup.

The coach might keep playing backups in the domestic cups and choose third-choice Renato Marin as the goalie. However, he might use this chance to let Lucas Chevalier play his first game since recovering from an ankle injury.

Safonov’s performance seemed to stir up a debate about who should be the starting goalie for the European champions.

The 26-year-old Russian started the season as the second choice, but his winning plays in Qatar came after a few good performances while filling in for the injured Chevalier, who didn’t start the season so well.

Chevalier, who turned 24 in November, was brought in over the summer because coach Luis Enrique liked how he handled the ball with his feet, but he hasn’t always looked as good at stopping shots.

PSG DOMINANCE: WILL LUIS ENRIQUE’S CHAMPIONS OUTCLASS FLAMENGO IN THE DOHA FINAL

Luis Enrique and his star-studded PSG squad aim for more history in Qatar. Discover if the Parisians can conquer South America’s best.

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Can Underdogs Flamengo Stun FIFA’s ‘Best’ Team of the Year

Just about three months after winning the Ballon d'Or, Ousmane Dembélé snagged another big one: FIFA's Best Men's player of the year award.

In the 2024-2025 season, the 28-year-old French player scored 35 goals and assisted 16, helping PSG clinch four trophies, including their first Champions League title.

Coach Luis Enrique was named the 'Best' coach for leading the team to victory.

The 55-year-old Spaniard took over from Christophe Galtier at PSG in July 2023.

By the next July, his squad, featuring Kylian Mbappé, had already grabbed the Ligue 1 title, the French Super Cup, and the Coupe de France.

After Mbappé left for Real Madrid, Enrique reshaped his team, and they dominated domestically for a second season. They also crushed Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final.

Even though Chelsea beat PSG for the FIFA Club World Cup in July, PSG bounced back by defeating Tottenham Hotspur in the European Super Cup final in August.

Achraf Hakimi of Morocco, along with Portuguese players Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, and Vitinha, joined Dembélé in FIFA's 'Best' men's team of the year.

Their spot on the team shows how well they performed all year, securing titles like the club's first Champions League win, PSG stated after the FIFA awards in Doha, Qatar.

On Wednesday night at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Enrique and his top players will face Flamengo, the Copa Libertadores champions (South America's version of the Champions League).

Flamengo is doing great right now; they've won many trophies, Enrique said. I like how they play. I remember watching them at the Club World Cup. They played some amazing games. They're a great team with and without the ball.

After the game in Doha, PSG will head back to France to defend their Coupe de France title against Vendée Fontenay Foot, an amateur team in the fifth tier of French soccer.

"We wanted to make history with PSG last season, and we did," Enrique added. Now, we want to keep it going this season. We need to be ready and focused against Flamengo.

Every moment could be key. I think the team has the same attitude this season that they had last season.

Filipe Luis, Flamengo's coach, admitted that his team is the underdog. "PSG is the best team worldwide," said the 40-year-old Brazilian.

They proved that by winning the Champions League. They're here because they're the best, and we're going to try our best to win and make history.

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