Luis Enrique refuses to use Ballon d’Or as excuse for Marseille defeat

Luis Enrique dismissed the idea that the Ballon d’Or ceremony was a distraction after Paris Saint-Germain suffered a surprise defeat to Marseille in Le Classique.

PSG had not lost an away league game to Marseille since 2011, but came unstuck this time around at the Stade Velodrome, with Nayaf Aguerd’s fourth-minute header proving enough for the hosts to claim the spoils.

The game had been pushed back one day from Sunday due to storm warnings in the south of France, meaning it clashed with the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, at which their injured forward Ousmane Dembele was named the best male player on the planet, with PSG winning the Club of the Year award and Luis Enrique claiming the Johan Cruyff Trophy.

Dembele was able to attend the ceremony along with Désiré Doué and Joao Neves, who are also both dealing with injuries.

But several PSG players who were nominated for the Ballon d’Or were unable attend due to the rescheduling of the Marseille game.

Asked if that had played on the minds of his players at the Stade Velodrome, Luis Enrique told his post-game press conference: “I do not agree. We pressed in a sensational way, in an incredible way.

“What we can criticise is the number of simple mistakes we have made, too much for this type of game. I am not happy with the result but with the ambition, confidence and DNA of the team, yes. And it is normal to lose games in the competition. We don’t look for excuses.

“We know what it’s like to lose this kind of game, for us and the fans. We played the best game we could.

“Marseille played well with intensity and quality, it was hard for both teams. That’s how high-level football is. It’s a shame for us but we must prepare for the rest of the season and try to continue on our way, in all competitions.”

PSG’s first defeat of the season puts them second in Ligue 1, with Monaco top of the table on goals scored. Lyon and Strasbourg are also level with the top two on 12 points.