PSG must remain 'positive' despite Bayern defeat, says Luis Enrique
Paris Saint-Germain return to Ligue 1 action against Nantes after falling to a third Champions League defeat in midweek to Bayern Munich.
Luis Enrique said Paris Saint-Germain must stay positive ahead of their return to domestic action despite losing to Bayern Munich in the Champions League in midweek.
The Parisiens slumped to a 1-0 defeat at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday, falling to 25th place in the new 36-team standings and four points off the play-off places.
PSG have lost three of their five matches in the Champions League this season (W1 D1), their most defeats in a single group stage campaign in the competition since 2004-05 (three), the last time they failed to reach the knockout stages.
However, Luis Enrique did not want to dwell on his latest defeat, instead urging his players to continue their fine form in Ligue 1 on Saturday at home to Nantes.
"From what we saw, it was positive. We played against a contender for the final away from home," Luis Enrique said.
"I liked what I saw, despite everything, there are always points to improve. But it's important to stay positive.
"Bayern are one of the favourites to win the final. We applied the same pressure as usual. I tried to change things.
"I haven't seen a team that has troubled them more than us this season.
"I feel confident. We should have nine points in the Champions League. I'm not hiding behind that. I liked what I saw in Munich. I'm very optimistic."
PSG sit top of the Ligue 1 standings after collecting 32 points from their 12 games so far this season.
This is the sixth time they have won as many points at this stage of a campaign in the top-flight (after 1985-86, 2015-16, 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2022-23).
And Luis Enrique can be confident that his side will return to winning ways given their impressive record against this weekend's opponents.
PSG have scored in each of their last 26 games in Ligue 1 against Nantes (64 goals in total), the longest run in their history against an opponent in the top-flight.
However, Nantes could become the team to have beaten PSG the most times in Ligue 1 in the 21st century (currently at 27, tied with Marseille), with a win on Saturday.
And despite sitting 16th in the table, Luis Enrique believes Nantes' performances this season have merited more points than the 10 they have managed so far.
"(Nantes) have fewer points than the team deserves. They're coming into the game on a run of (four league) defeats, but I'm expecting a tough game," he added.
"We need to keep racking up wins and get into good habits with a view to the Champions League."