London [UK], February 1: Luis Enrique has defended Paris Saint-Germain's form as they struggle to replicate last season's success.
PSG won the French title by 19 points last term but head to Strasbourg on Sunday one point behind Ligue 1 leaders Lens, who beat Le Havre 1-0 on Friday night, while their defence of the Champions League hinges on a play-off after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle in midweek.
But when it was put to him that PSG have fallen short of their own high standards this term, Luis Enrique hit back.
"I can understand that you think we should win every match 4-0 or 5-0 and we did that too last year for quite a few months, but that is not normal - that is out of this world," he said.
"With the expectations being higher now, it makes it harder because you get frustrated. We want to make history which is not easy to do." Enrique added that, rather than PSG falling short, the difference this season has been the rise of their rivals - not least Lens.
"They are our number one contender for the title," he said. "But we are continuing our momentum from last season. This season, Lens are winning a lot, 10 out of their last 11 matches.
"I like pressure, and they want to put it on us in the standings. Very well. It's up to us to show that we thrive on it."
Sunday's game promises to be another tough test of PSG's form. When the two sides met earlier in the campaign, Strasbourg held a 3-1 half-time lead at the Parc des Princes before PSG came back to salvage a point from a 3-3 draw.
Gary O'Neil has made a strong start since taking over as Strasbourg coach in early January, and after back-to-back league wins against Metz and Lille, they began the weekend in seventh place. They have not lost at home since November 30.
"Of course playing away from home is always difficult when you play against Strasbourg," Luis Enrique said.
"They are one of the youngest teams with so much individual quality, and with a different situation because they changed their coach.
"They are a team that play really good football. I remember the draw at the start of the season at the Parc des Princes which they could have won."
PSG this week snapped up teenager Dro Fernandez from Barcelona, but Luis Enrique said he was not sure when the 18-year-old might make his debut for the club.
"It is difficult to find players with the quality to help our team but Dro Fernandez has that technical and physical quality," he said.
"He is very young and we have lots of confidence in him as a player but we have to stay calm.
"He has just arrived and we have to stay calm so that he settles in and we have seen the level. It is important to have confidence in young players and you have to give them that confidence at the right time. As for when that moment will be, I do not know."
Source: Qatar Tribune
