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Luis Enrique warns PSG not to underestimate Orleans in Coupe de France clash
Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick helped PSG thrash amateurs Revel 9-0 in the last round.
Paris St Germain boss Luis Enrique has warned against complacency when they travel to third-tier Orleans in the last 16 of the Coupe de France.
Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick helped PSG thrash amateurs Revel 9-0 in the last round.
With Enrique’s men sitting eight points clear at the top of Ligue 1, another convincing victory is expected when they travel to the Stade de La Source on Saturday night.
Enrique, though, insisted his squad – set to be without injured goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who picked up a knee problem against Lens last weekend – will have to stay fully focused to avoid suffering a shock result.
“We have analysed a team which plays two divisions below us, they are a professional team,” Enrique said.
“Even if they are in difficulty in the (National) Championship, they were able to get through the rounds in the Coupe de France, beating teams ranked higher than them.
“It is different from what we encountered against Revel. Orleans are a well-structured team. They play with a back five and take up good spaces, they are capable of countering with strong attackers.
“It is a dangerous competition for the favourites because in normal conditions, over 90 minutes, you can be knocked out. But we are approaching the Coupe de France with a lot of seriousness and a lot of desire.”
With goalkeeper Alexandre Letellier slowly getting back to training after a viral infection, Enrique was giving little away about who would start on Saturday.
Defender Manuel Ugarte will not not feature after sustaining a slight thigh injury against Lens.
Enrique has some concerns over what state the playing surface will be in at the Stade de La Source.
“It’s the only thing that really concerns me beyond the competition,” he said.
“I hope the pitch will be in a good state, not just in terms of playing good football.
“I am concerned about the health of the players, mine and those of Orleans.”
Enrique added: “If it were normal circumstances, yes, it would be a case of rotating and involving young players because we want to give them a chance.
“But bearing in mind the circumstances of this match, the experience of playing away on a pitch that had been recently changed, I will decide who will play when I see the state of the pitch.”
Orleans coach Karim Mokeddem is relishing the prospect of facing the Ligue 1 giants.
“It (beating PSG) would not be an achievement – there is no word yet to describe it if it happens,” he told reporters.
“I told the players to enjoy every moment, but I think there isn’t anyone who hasn’t dreamed of eliminating PSG.”