Paris Saint-Germain head coach, Luis Enrique, has admitted that Lens have emerged as their only real title challengers this season, turning Ligue 1 into a two-team contest.
However, the Spaniard insists PSG remain the standard-setters in France and says he thrives under pressure.
Lens moved one point clear at the top of the table on Friday night after a narrow 1-0 win over Le Havre.
PSG, though, have the chance to reclaim first place when they travel to face Strasbourg on Sunday.
“It’s clear, there’s Lens, and there’s us,” Luis Enrique said during his pre-match press conference ahead of the Alsace trip.
PSG cruised to the Ligue 1 title last season, finishing 19 points ahead of the rest and lifting a fourth consecutive championship.
According to Luis Enrique, the major difference this time around is the rise of Lens.
“What has changed, compared to last season, is Lens. They are different. The rest is as usual.
“I like the pressure. If they want to put pressure on us, I like that. We are used to having this kind of pressure. We have to show tomorrow that we like this pressure.”
The PSG boss also warned against underestimating Strasbourg, stressing that his team must prove their quality on the pitch.
“Strasbourg have quality. For me, we’re the best team in the league, but we have to show it. We have to be able to win these games,” he said.
Luis Enrique acknowledged that expectations around PSG have grown following last season’s dominance but described such standards as unrealistic to maintain every year.
“You think we should win every game 3-0 or 5-0 like last season. But that’s not normal, it’s impossible, it was stratospheric. Expectations are higher. We want to make history, it’s not easy,” he said.
PSG will be without Fabian Ruiz, who is sidelined with a bruised knee, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is recovering from a sprained ankle. The Paris club has struggled with several injuries throughout the campaign.
Despite the congested schedule, Luis Enrique dismissed concerns about fatigue within his squad.
“There is ‘no deficit’, he said. “There’s the same fluidity.”
The reigning champions endured a difficult Champions League first phase, finishing 11th and now facing an extra play-off round against domestic rivals Monaco. Still, Luis Enrique sees the situation in a positive light.
“We’re going to play in the Champions League play-offs, which isn’t a bad thing. It’s important to have the number of matches we need,” he said, adding he was “very happy” to be facing Monaco.
PSG, who last season completed a historic treble by winning the French Cup and the Champions League before reaching the Club World Cup final in the United States, now turn their focus back to the league as the title race intensifies.
