Enrique: ‘Kylian is the best player in the world’

There was plenty of pressure on Enrique’s side after they fell 3-2 at home to OGC Nice in Ligue 1 Uber Eats Round 5 on Friday night, but Mbappé and co. looked imperious on Tuesday, with Mbappé converting coolly from the spot after Dortmund hand-ball in the area (49′, pen.) and Hakimi serving up a delightful solo run and striker’s finish to seal the result (58′).

Enrique: ‘This match reinforces our ideas’

Although Dortmund hit the post in the second half, that was as close as they came on night that Enrique will doubtless one hoping serves a benchmark for how newly forged team.

“I liked almost everything tonight, the intensity from the start of the match, the speed and the control of the game for 75 minutes,” declared the Spanish tactician. “This match reinforces our ideas. We’re all happy. It was almost a perfect evening for me.”

‘A leader who always has a smile on his face’

When quizzed on individual performances, Enrique was quick to express his appreciation for France star Mbappé.

“For me, Kylian is the best player in the world,” said the Spaniard. “But more than his technical qualities, what has impressed me is his human quality. It’s a pleasure to have him in the dressing room, he’s a leader who always has a smile on his face.”

Enrique also had plenty of praise for Hakimi, who has had up and down times since arriving at PSG two years ago but who seems to have hit the ground running in the current campaign.

Hakimi has ‘all the attributes’, Dembélé ‘a player with magic’

“He’s a top player, he brings a unique energy. He has things to improve and we’re going to help him,” said enrique. “It’s a pleasure to have a player with this quality, to see him develop and put in so much effort. He appears in all the important areas. He’s got all the attributes, he’s got the composure to score and he bagged a superb goal.”

And as for Ousmane Dembélé, yet to score his first goal for Paris Saint-Germain, Enrique needs no convincing.

“If I was a fan of any team, I’d pay the money to see him play. He has different qualities. He may miss three times, but he’s a player with magic,” said the Spaniard. “He may want to score his first goal, but that’s a normal process. He’s a wonderful player.”

Chicken counting strictly prohibited
Paris Saint-Germain now find themselves atop the Group F standings, Milan and Newcastle having drawn 0-0 in the group’s other match, but Enrique isn’t about to get comfortable.

“It’s the first matchday and a win was vital, but it gives us no promises for the future,” he intoned. “The most important thing is to win as much as possible and we’ll be going to Newcastle to play our game.”

Enrique and his charges now turn their attentions to Sunday’s all-important Classique at home to Olympique de Marseille and will doubtless be grateful of the confidence afforded them by this convincing win as they look to get one over their arch-rivals – and get back to winning ways in the league.