PA Media/dpa
London
Paris Saint Germain coach Luis Enrique feels it will take a collective effort to kickstart their Champions League campaign against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
Having won the opening match of the new competition format against Girona, the French giants lost away at Arsenal and were then held to a 1-1 draw by PSV Eindhoven.
While there are still plenty of European fixtures ahead to get their qualification for the knockout stage back on track, Enrique knows his players cannot afford to lose focus.
“Each player must contribute to the team, we must achieve our objectives as a collective and not depend on any particular player,” Enrique said at a press conference.
“I am very satisfied with my team, both defensively and offensively.
We just need a little more realism.
“Generating goal chances is the most important thing for me, but we want to resolve situations to convert the chances.” Wednesday’s match at the Parc des Princes will be the first meeting between the two sides in European competition.
Atletico have also struggled for consistency in the new league format so far, losing their last two games - 4-0 away against Benfica and 3-1 at home to Lille.
But Enrique warned there should be no complacency when facing Diego Simeone’s side.
“Atleti are one of the most difficult teams to play, with a great history in Europe,” the former Barcelona and Spain boss said.
“In spite of their results in the Champions League against Benfica and Lille, I am sure Atleti will be at their best tomorrow and more competitive, more serious. They will be a very tough team to beat.” Enrique added: “If we lose tomorrow but win the next four, we will qualify, the same for Atletico, so Wednesday night’s game is not decisive.
“It is important, and our objective is to win, but it is not a crucial game for the rest of the competition.”
