Luis Enrique believes Paris Saint-Germain’s 4-0 win over 10-man Nice will only “strengthen the team’s bonds” as they continue to fight for the Ligue 1 title.
Having been leapfrogged at the summit by Lens, who beat Angers 5-1 on Friday, PSG restored their one-point cushion at the top of the table on Saturday.
Nuno Mendes’ first-half penalty provided the breakthrough for Luis Enrique’s side before Desire Doue doubled their lead shortly after half-time.
Following Youssouf Ndayishimiye’s red card, PSG then finished strongly, with Dro Fernandez netting his first goal for the club before Warren Zaire-Emery got their fourth.
PSG have won each of their last four away games in all competitions, their longest run of the season – only Bologna (six) are currently on a longer run among teams playing in the five major European leagues.
And Luis Enrique noted just how important it was to go into the international break on the back of a win as they prepare for a busy run-in.
“It was difficult. Every time we play here, it’s a complicated game,” he told Ligue 1+.
“We were very precise. It’s difficult to play after the Champions League, where it’s normal to be excited.
“This type of victory strengthens the team’s bonds. It’s the key moment, the most important, because it’s the time to make it happen with the trophies.
“It’s the last international break before the World Cup, but as a team, the return will be important. I’ll wait to see the return of the players.”
1 – At 18 years and 68 days old, Dro Fernández became the youngest player not to have come through the Paris SG Academy to score for the club in all competitions. Recruit. pic.twitter.com/zhrSwYGx36
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) March 21, 2026
Fernandez became, at 18 years and 68 days, the youngest goalscorer for PSG, who did not come through the club’s academy.
“At 18 years old, scoring your first goal is important. I’m very happy,” Luis Enrique added of Fernandez.
“Lens continued to press, and it was an obligation for us to win. There are a lot of players who don’t play a lot, but who have taken advantage, like Beraldo, Dro. I’m happy.”
“The coach gave me his confidence, I’m happy to have scored this goal,” Fernandez added.
“I didn’t know it was the 100th goal of the season, it’s an honour for me. I’m happy to have helped the team and to have scored; it’s even better.”
Nice, meanwhile, have lost 23 games this season in all competitions (W10 D8), having suffered no more defeats in the same season than in 1996-97 (25) – that is also more defeats than any other team playing in Europe’s top 10 leagues in 2025-26.
And head coach Claude Puel was left frustrated by the officiating in the game.
“We completely distort the contribution of this tool [VAR], which should be a plus,” he said about the penalty decision.
“Not to punish a team but to avoid contrary decisions. And we came to put the first half in the air. If we want to go all the way, the corner taker slides and touches the ball twice.
“It’s completely crazy. The vagaries of the matches do not spare us. My players are so generous and valiant. It’s such a frustration, but they go back to the fight and don’t give up.
“We are vaccinated. It will only come from us. But you don’t see a demobilised team, which lowers its head. And it will be until the end.”
