MONACO: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach Luis Enrique has denied any rumours of tension between players as the European champions prepare for their Champions League play-off against AS Monaco early tomorrow morning.
PSG are now struggling to rediscover the excellent form of the second half of last season, when they displayed exciting football to win the Champions League for the first time in history.
The French capital club fell from the top of Ligue 1 last weekend after losing 1-3 at Rennes, allowing Lens to overtake them.
The start of 2026 was also dismal, including being eliminated from the French Cup to Paris FC and finishing the Champions League league phase in 11th place.
Failure to win any of their last three matches in Europe meant they had to go through the playoff round to qualify for the round of 16.
After the defeat at Rennes, last year’s Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele criticised his team-mates for playing too much for themselves, rather than for the team.
“We have to play for Paris Saint-Germain if we want to win the game, because if everyone plays for themselves, it won’t work and we won’t win the trophy we dream of,” Dembele said in a TV interview after the match.
“Last season we put the club first before thinking about ourselves, so I think we need to get back to that mindset.”
Enrique was asked about the situation shortly after arriving in Monaco, the day before the first leg of the Champions League playoffs.
“There are always rumours about PSG and we just have to deal with them,” said the Spaniard, insisting that the defeat at Rennes was brutal for his team.
“Of course we wanted to come into this match with a win, but now it’s Champions League time and all the players are excited.”
PSG are expected to easily overcome Monaco, as the hosts are currently eighth in Ligue 1, 20 points behind the Parisian champions.