Luis Enrique was not pleased with the condition of the pitch where Paris Saint-Germain had to play on Wednesday. The French top club visited fifth-division side FC Espaly-Saint-Marcel in the cup competition and narrowly escaped a scare.
Two minutes before the final whistle, Paris Saint-Germain found themselves locked in a precarious 2-2 stalemate with fifth-division side Espaly-Saint-Marcel in the Coupe de France.
A potential embarrassment loomed over the French giants, who were struggling to impose their dominance on an opponent playing several tiers below them. However, in the dying moments of the match, Bradley Barcola and Gonçalo Ramos stepped up to salvage the night, scoring two late goals to secure a hard-fought 2-4 victory. Despite the relief of advancing, the performance raised concerns, and coach Luis Enrique didn’t shy away from addressing them in his post-match remarks.
While PSG ultimately avoided an upset, the match was far from a smooth ride. Luis Enrique, however, refrained from placing too much blame on his players. Instead, he directed his criticism at the deplorable state of the pitch, which he felt was a significant factor in PSG’s struggles. "The pitch was more suitable for rugby," the Spaniard stated during a press conference. "To play football on it, good football, with all due respect, was simply impossible. The ball kept bouncing uncontrollably, and it was incredibly difficult to execute our game plan under such conditions."
Luis Enrique went on to commend Espaly for their performance, noting that the underdogs made the most of their opportunity and caused problems for PSG throughout the match. "The opponents played at an excellent level," he said. "They capitalized on their first chance, which made things difficult for us. But that also has to do with the quality of the pitch. It worked against us and leveled the playing field in a way that favored them."
The PSG coach also pointed out broader challenges that teams like his face in the Coupe de France, particularly the absence of VAR. Without the technology to review decisions, any errors made by the referee remain uncorrected, which Enrique highlighted as an additional factor complicating matches in the competition. "This tournament is always challenging for us, partly because there is no VAR. Referee mistakes cannot be corrected. Don’t get me wrong: we appreciate that this tournament exists. We came here with pleasure, but the conditions need to be better for everyone's well-being. And that was not the case, I can assure you."
The coach’s concerns are not without merit, as matches in early rounds of domestic cup competitions often take place at smaller, less-developed stadiums, where the quality of facilities may fall well below the standard top-tier teams are accustomed to. For PSG, who are used to the pristine conditions of Parc des Princes and other elite venues, adapting to such environments can be a challenge. The uneven pitch at Stade Victor Rey certainly tested PSG's technical abilities, as passes frequently went astray, and the unpredictable ball movement disrupted the rhythm of their play.
Despite the difficult circumstances, Espaly’s performance deserved praise. The fifth-division team showcased incredible determination and resilience, defending tenaciously against a PSG side packed with international stars. Their ability to hold the game level until the final minutes highlighted the magic of cup competitions, where underdogs can punch above their weight and threaten to topple giants. Espaly’s players will undoubtedly remember the night they pushed PSG to their limits, even if the result didn’t go in their favor.
For PSG, however, the match served as a wake-up call. While they ultimately secured their place in the next round, the narrow escape highlighted vulnerabilities in their squad and raised questions about their ability to adapt to less-than-ideal conditions. It also underscored the importance of maintaining focus and discipline, regardless of the opponent or the setting. With the knockout stages of the Champions League approaching, performances like this will need to be addressed to ensure they don’t translate into more significant disappointments on a larger stage.
The controversy surrounding the pitch adds to the narrative of an already eventful season for PSG, a club that consistently finds itself in the spotlight. Luis Enrique’s candid remarks reflect the frustrations of a manager tasked with leading one of Europe’s most high-profile teams through competitions where the stakes are always high. His call for better conditions is not just about leveling the playing field but also about ensuring the safety and well-being of players, who risk injury when forced to compete on substandard surfaces.
Looking ahead, PSG will need to build on this result and approach their next fixtures with greater intensity and focus. Matches like these are a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football and the fine margins that separate success from failure. For Luis Enrique, the challenge is not only to navigate his team through domestic competitions but also to ensure they are prepared for the high-pressure games that define their season.
As the Coupe de France progresses, the spotlight will remain on PSG, both for their performances and for the conditions they encounter along the way. While the victory against Espaly may not be one they’ll look back on with pride, it serves as a valuable lesson in resilience and adaptability a reminder that even the best teams must occasionally grind out results under less-than-ideal circumstances. For now, PSG advances, but the journey in this tournament promises to be anything but straightforward.
