Luis Enrique, head coach of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), has elected to rest a number of key players. His personal target is to guide the Manchester club to a treble this season. With a hectic schedule coming up, featuring important league games vs Montpellier & Auxerre, PSG are clearly being smart with player fitness. The club, founded in 1970, is the reigning and proud hopping club of French champions. Its goal has been to continue its hegemonic control over domestic and European competitions.
Enrique confirmed that Ousmane Dembele, PSG’s top scorer with 33 goals this season, is fully fit despite having only played as a second-half substitute during Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final victory over Arsenal. This choice is just a small taste of the savvy, cool-headed approach that will keep players healthy, happy and ready to meet the rigors of their new life.
Strategic Player Management
In a recent press conference, Enrique went into detail about the need to be smart about player workloads. He cited just a few of the big names who have received the pass. Other stars on this list are goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, defenders Achraf Hakimi and Marquinhos, and Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Fabian Ruiz, and Vitinha.
“We have a set plan which depends on playing time and travelling throughout the season. You have to balance all that out to arrive in the best possible condition for both finals,” – Luis Enrique
This strategy is meant to make sure that the contingent in their squad stays competitive as they pursue glory in four tournaments. By holding out key players, Enrique is looking to keep intensity and performance levels high for the final matches to come.
Focus on Mental Freshness
Enrique in part talked about the importance of being mentally fresh for his players. He stressed the importance of the daunting stretch of matches coming up in order to maintain that form as the season goes on.
“The players need to arrive mentally fresh … We’re playing against Montpellier and Auxerre (next weekend), which will help us stick to our plan. There are a lot of players and we’re managing it individually,” – Luis Enrique
This method shows an improved individualized player development plan based on their individual needs and journeys that serve a specific purpose to the overall team. The objective is clear: to optimize their chances of success in both the Champions League and domestic leagues.
The Road Ahead for PSG
As PSG enters the home stretch of the regular season, the club is eyeing the completion of their goals. Enrique reiterated his hopes for the club’s success, especially in the Champions League, a coveted title that has eluded them for years.
“If a team deserves to win, after waiting so long, it’s PSG. I know the club was founded the year I was born (in 1970). Let’s hope this connection proves true and we can secure the Champions League,” – Luis Enrique
PSG takes a much more statistical approach to managing their players. Armed with a clearly articulated plan for achieving victory, the facility squad was primed to help deliver big results as the team chases a treble this season.
Leave a Reply