PSG Coach Luis Enrique Backs Lucas Chevalier Ahead of Leverkusen Clash
PSG coach Luis Enrique shows faith in goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier ahead of Champions League match against Leverkusen. Read more.
“We're happy to have won our first two matches, but tomorrow will be a different kind of test...”
Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique has thrown his full support behind goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier ahead of the Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen. The 22-year-old has been thrust into the spotlight as the first-choice goalkeeper, beating out Russian counterpart Matvei Safonov.
“For me, he's one of the best options, if not the best,” Luis Enrique said, expressing his confidence in Chevalier's abilities. The young goalkeeper has indeed made a strong impression since joining from Lille during the close season.
Luis Enrique also took the opportunity to address the criticism surrounding Chevalier, drawing parallels with former PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. “I think you don't remember how many years you criticised Gigio Donnarumma. For four years, you killed him sportingly,” he said, defending his goalkeeper's performance.
PSG will face a tough test against Leverkusen, who have undergone significant changes under new coach Kasper Hjulmand. Despite the challenge, Luis Enrique emphasized the importance of winning points in the Champions League, saying, “Tomorrow is important because the sooner we win points, the better.”
With Ousmane Dembele back in the fold, PSG will look to capitalize on their recent momentum, including a 2-1 win over Barcelona earlier this month. “We're happy to have won our first two matches, but tomorrow will be a different kind of test,” Luis Enrique added.
“For me he’s one of the best options, if not the best,” Luis Enrique told reporters ahead of Tuesday’s league phase match in Germany.
“He has shown personality. When you are the PSG goalkeeper, you have to learn to live with the criticism. I like Lucas’s mentality and the level he’s showing. We are very confident he’ll be important for years to come.”
📋 The squad for the trip to Leverkusen! 🔴🔵#B04PSG I #UCL pic.twitter.com/F8c2Zpd3Bf
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) October 20, 2025
Donnarumma's PSG Exit
Gianluigi Donnarumma departed PSG for Manchester City after helping the club win their maiden European Cup title last season.
“I think you don’t remember how many years you criticised Gigio Donnarumma. For four years, you killed him sportingly,” Luis Enrique added.
PSG have started the Champions League league phase strongly, picking up six points from their opening two matches.
“We’re looking for the same thing as last season: to get as many points as possible in what is a very difficult league phase,” Luis Enrique said.
“We’re happy to have won our first two matches, but tomorrow will be a different kind of test.”
Luis Enrique welcomed back Ousmane Dembele, dismissing speculation about Dembele's Ballon d'Or win, and emphasized his focus on the team's success.
“You’re very preoccupied with the Ballon d’Or,” he said. “It’s Ousmane Dembele, not the Ballon d’Or. We’re happy to have him back.”
PSG's 2-1 win over Barcelona earlier this month has given them a confidence boost, following a tough start to the season that saw them trailing Olympique de Marseille in second place in Ligue 1.
“We’ve shown resilience,” he said. “Tomorrow is important because the sooner we win points, the better.”
Bayer Leverkusen appointed Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand as their new manager, replacing Erik ten Hag. Hjulmand joins after guiding Denmark to the Euro 2020 semi-finals and has signed a contract until June 2027. He'll face a tough challenge stabilizing a team that lost key players like Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Granit Xhaka in the summer transfer window.
“It’s hard to know what to expect,” Luis Enrique said. “They’ve brought in 20 players, and they can press high or sit deep. We have to be ready for everything.”
On the way to Germany! 🛩️
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) October 20, 2025
pic.twitter.com/KkmJbrK2HI
PSG is currently ranked third in the UEFA Champions League standings with 6 points, tied with several other teams including Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Arsenal, and Qarabag FK, but behind none as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich also have 6 points with the same number of matches played.
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