Published: 10:31, August 16, 2024
New beginning for PSG but same old Mbappe questions for Luis Enrique
By Reuters
Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish headcoach Luis Enrique reacts from the sidelines during the pre-season friendly football club match between Germany's RB Leipzig and France's Paris Saint-Germain in Leipzig, eastern Germany on Aug 10, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

Paris St Germain begin life without Kylian Mbappe when the Ligue 1 season kicks off this weekend but manager Luis Enrique found himself still facing questions about the departed player at his press conference on Thursday.

The long-running saga of Mbappe's transfer to Real Madrid finally ended at the beginning of June when the French forward joined the LaLiga side, but if PSG's manager thought the theme of his press conferences would change, he was mistaken.

Mbappe's Real career began with a goal in their Super Cup 2-0 success against Atalanta on Tuesday and, inevitably, when he faced the media before Friday's trip to Le Havre, Luis Enrique was asked by a Spanish journalist if he had watched the game.

"My God these Spanish people are boring... I didn't imagine you were going to ask me a question about Kylian again," the manager said as he shook his head.

"But I don't have anything to hide. I have always adored Kylian Mbappe and he is a unique and exceptional person. I wish him the best, and that Madrid lose against us."

ALSO READ: Mbappe scores on debut as Real beat Atalanta 2-0 in Super Cup

PSG's Kylian Mbappe is tossed into the air as he celebrates with teammates after the French Cup final soccer match between Lyon and PSG at the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve d'Ascq, northern France, May 25, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

PSG will now need to find goals elsewhere after Mbappe went out on a high with his best-ever season at the club, netting 44 times in 48 games, and the coach is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.

"If someone else scores 40 goals, that would be great," he said.

"But based on my experience, it is better to have four players scoring 12 - that would make 48, which is more than 40. I think it's a fascinating challenge. It's a challenge to show that football is a collective sport."

PSG were unbeaten away from home in the league last season but had a tough battle at Le Havre, where keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was sent off early on and they secured a 2-0 win only with a goal in the 89th minute.

Paris Saint-Germain's Portuguese forward #09 Goncalo Ramos (center) scores the 1-1 equalizing goal during the pre-season friendly football club match between Germany's RB Leipzig and France's Paris Saint-Germain in Leipzig, eastern Germany on Aug 10, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

They were also held 3-3 at home by the same opposition late in the season and Luis Enrique expects another difficult task as his side begin their league title defence.

"Despite the result, it was tough away to Le Havre. We really had to dig in and we will face the same difficulties this time," the Spaniard said.

READ MORE: PSG beat Lyon to win French Cup final in Mbappe's farewell appearance

"Our aim is to start the season in the best possible way and to make our fans happy from the first game. We are ready and delighted to get started."