PSG Vs AS Monaco

Ahead of their first match after the winter break, AS Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are set to face off in the Trophée des Champions in Doha. In anticipation of the clash, PSG’s head coach Luis Enrique and club captain Marquinhos participated in the traditional pre-match press conference to discuss their team’s recent updates. The conference was filled with insights into the team's progress, upcoming challenges, and personal reflections from both individuals. The following are some of the key points shared during the discussion, as translated by PSG Post.

Just three weeks after PSG’s dominant 4-2 victory over AS Monaco in Ligue 1, which extended their lead to 10 points atop the French top-flight standings, the two sides meet again, this time in the prestigious Trophée des Champions. The showdown will be a significant marker as both teams aim to kick off their post-break campaigns on a high note, with a trophy on the line.

Marquinhos, the PSG captain, was the first to take the floor at the press conference, beginning with a discussion about the remarkable recovery of his teammate Lucas Hernandez. Hernandez, who had been sidelined due to an ACL injury, has made a triumphant return to the squad. Marquinhos praised Hernandez’s work ethic and the impact he has already made since his comeback, describing him as a pivotal player for the team.

Marquinhos shared, “Lucas is undoubtedly an important player for us. Even though he's still quite young, his experience and the titles he's won are invaluable. He brings an edge to our team, a fighting spirit that complements our technical prowess. On and off the pitch, I think he’s already proven to be one of the leaders of this team. It was painful for all of us to see him get injured the way he did, but seeing the hard work he put into his recovery made us all happy to see him back, fully fit. He’s already played a few games and continues to work hard to get back to his peak level. The coach has a lot of trust in him, and the team shares that confidence. It’s truly important to have him back and ready to compete with us.”

The conversation then shifted to Marquinhos’ own future at PSG. The Brazilian international acknowledged that while football is unpredictable, his current focus remains squarely on the present. Despite the uncertainty that often surrounds the careers of footballers, Marquinhos expressed contentment with his current situation at the club, emphasizing that he is driven by the upcoming challenges and his desire to contribute further to PSG’s success.

Marquinhos remarked, “It’s not the best time to be talking about the future, but I think we all know that in football, nothing is ever set in stone. Everything can change quickly, and that’s something we all have to accept. Right now, my head and my heart are fully focused on PSG. We’ve got an important title to play for tomorrow, and after that, there are many crucial matches ahead. The season is far from over, and my full motivation is directed towards achieving success with PSG. As for my future, that will depend on a lot of factors—what the club decides, the philosophy of the coach and president, as well as the player’s own desires. But for now, I’m incredibly happy here. I have so much more to give to the club, but as we all know, the future is never guaranteed.”

Luis Enrique then provided his perspective on PSG’s performance during the first half of the season. Reflecting on the team’s progress, the coach expressed satisfaction with the results so far and shared optimism for the upcoming challenges. According to him, the second half of the season is when the team can truly shine, fighting for titles and pushing to make further strides in various competitions. Luis Enrique was keen to emphasize the importance of the upcoming period, underscoring that this is when teams solidify their legacies by clinching trophies and advancing in crucial tournaments.

Luis Enrique said, “Looking at our performance so far, I’m very pleased with how things have gone. I believe we’ve had a strong first half of the season, and now we’re entering the most important phase. The second half is when the real battles happen—the part of the season where you’re playing for titles and fighting to progress in the various competitions. This is what really matters, and I’m excited about the challenges that lie ahead. So far, I’ve been happy with what I’ve seen from the team, and now it’s about continuing to build on that foundation and achieving even greater things.”

The press conference offered a rare insight into the collective mindset at PSG as they prepare to face AS Monaco once again. The team’s resolve, led by figures like Marquinhos and Luis Enrique, is clear: they are focused on the present but fully aware that the future will be shaped by the decisions and performances of the coming months. As the Trophée des Champions approaches, PSG's aim is to not only claim the first trophy of the year but to set the tone for the rest of the season, with a strong belief that the best is yet to come.