Rennes held Luis Enrique, PSG’s coach, to the same score on Sunday, but the Spaniard made no mistake in delivering a warning to the French giants: Paris Saint-Germain have to move on from their good form if they are going to win a game.
The defending champions PSG found no joy at Stade Rennais as they were given little time at half-time when they were 2-0 down. Enrique reacted by swapping Ousmane Dembele for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia at half-time, only to be back to the scratch line with Ferran Torres, one of his new imports, coming on to put the game away with two tries.
Despite the incredible trophy run of PSG, Enrique had made it clear that there would be no room for complacency.
This is the coach saying “Paris Saint-Germain have won nothing, nothing”, and making it clear that past successes will not be counted for the new season.
This is the message that PSG are sending as they try to retain their supremacy at home as they seek a third successive Champions League title. They have already won the European Super Cup this month, although they lost the French Super Cup to Racing Lens.
Torres’ debut was immediately effective and Enrique commended him. The Spaniard, a World Cup winner against Argentina in the final last month, supplied PSG with a spark in their midst when they were lacking in a challenging early stretch.
The manager also made reference to the tough competition for positions in the squad after PSG’s summer transfer window. I had a very good transfer window, I’m not yet done adding, said Enrique, who noted that it would be a lot harder to keep things going than after the initial success.
PSG’s return to Rennes was ultimately a victory away from a loss on opening day but it was Enrique’s words in general that indicate his anticipation for the season. The PSG manager is looking for the players to be judged by their form, and not last season, as he has both domestic games and a Champions League campaign in front of him.
If the Parisians are to hold on to their place in Europe’s top tier, they will have to catch up real fast.
