Motivation is key in record-seeking PSG's season finale, says Luis Enrique

Champions League - Quarter Final - Second Leg - Aston Villa v Paris St Germain - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - April 15, 2025 Paris St Germain coach Luis Enrique before the match REUTERS/Hannah Mckay/File Photo
Paris St
Germain have already retained their Ligue 1 title but in what could turn out to
be the club's greatest ever season, keeping players motivated is the most
important thing at this stage of the campaign, manager Luis Enrique said on
Monday.
PSG's priority
may be winning their first Champions League trophy, with a semi-final against
Arsenal to come, and the club can also retain the Coup de France against Stade
de Reims in the final, but the league still has much to offer.
Luis
Enrique's side can become the first team to remain unbeaten throughout a Ligue
1 season, and avoiding defeat at Nantes on Tuesday would see them beat AC
Milan's record of 38 away games without defeat.
"We are
very motivated because we can set a record of the European team in the big five
leagues with the longest unbeaten run away from home," Luis Enrique told
reporters.
"We are
really motivated because we do want our unbeaten title.
"As for
the situation in the table, Nantes are fully motivated as well, so we know how
difficult it is."
The manager
has been able to rotate his starting team, making nine changes for
Saturday's 2-1 win over
Le Havre from their Champions League game against Aston Villa last week, which
is key to getting the best out of the whole squad.
"Without
doubt, that is the challenge that we face at the moment and that is the
challenge for coaches," the manager said.
"Because
it can be hard to motivate everyone, particularly the ones who are less
involved, but I feel very lucky because my players are responding in the best
possible way and turning in top level performances.
"I would
like them all to get more playing time but it is difficult to do that because
to do that I have to stop high-level players from playing."
As well as
getting as many players involved as possible, allowing them to rest has also
been a priority for the treble-chasing club.
"You
need to manage the physical and emotional workload," Luis Enrique said.
"That
goes for teams that are very exposed and play every three days, so it can be
hard to have days off and when you give a player a day off it is crucial.
"I think
we are one of the teams with the longest Christmas break. We had 10 days and we
gave the players two weeks off where we could, and they were able to make the
most of it."
PSG have five league matches left, and take on a Nantes side still involved in a survival battle, 14th in the standings and three points above the relegation zone.
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