Marquinhos Warns PSG Stars as Luis Enrique Sets High Standards Ahead of Champions League Clash
Marquinhos Sends a Clear Message to PSG Teammates
Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos has made it clear that manager Luis Enrique will not hesitate to leave out any player who doesn't give their all. This warning comes as the reigning European champions prepare to face Slovan Bratislava in their opening Champions League match.
PSG Aim for Strong Start in Title Defense
The French giants are set to begin their group stage campaign at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday evening against Yaya Toure's Bratislava side. After winning last season’s final on penalties against Arsenal, PSG want to start this season’s tournament on a strong note. This match also offers a chance for the team to recover after failing to win in their first three Ligue 1 games this season.
Demand for Full Commitment from Every Player
Marquinhos stressed that every member of the squad must show complete dedication during training or risk being left out by Enrique. The Brazilian center-back explained the coach's strict approach:
"He’s not just making tough calls this season. He has his own way of managing. The group has to give 100% in training to earn their place. That’s what he demands."
He added, "It’s up to the players to push themselves to the limit every day. Everyone has to work to earn their spot. Sometimes players are excluded from the squad. That hurts, but everyone understands. That’s football, that’s how it is. He’s done a very good job managing so far, it’s worked. He has his philosophy and he’s not afraid to make tough decisions when needed."
Enrique Focuses on Avoiding Complacency
Luis Enrique holds an impressive 63 percent win rate in Champions League matches, the highest for any coach with at least 50 games in the competition. He reminded his players to stay alert against the Slovakian team, emphasizing the difficulty of the tournament:
"This is the toughest competition. How many teams can win? Six, eight, five. The difference is very small. We’re aiming for a very good start. We’re going to play a seemingly easy match, but there are no easy matches. We have to stay focused."
PSG Seek to Reignite Their Season
History favors PSG, with no defending champion losing their first home European fixture since 1967. A strong performance is seen as key to boosting confidence ahead of a demanding autumn schedule. Enrique needs to quickly build consistency and determination to turn around their domestic form and end their current winless streak in Ligue 1.
- Competition: Champions League
- Match: Paris Saint-Germain vs Slovan Bratislava
- Date & Time: 9 Sept 2026, 21:00
- Venue: Parc des Princes
- PSG Coach: Luis Enrique
- PSG Captain: Marquinhos
