‘We will not lose faith’, says Luis Enrique – but manager ‘does not have magic formula’

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Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique said his players are facing intense negativity but “must continue to think positive” after drawing 0-0 at Auxerre.

The French leaders dominated but dropped points for the third consecutive game following their 1-1 draw at home to second-bottom Nantes on November 30 and 1-0 defeat at Bayern Munich in the Champions League four days earlier.

“We had 25 chances,” observed Enrique, via RMC Sport. “Auxerre were the [inferior] team at home. We will listen to the criticism.

“We will not lose our faith. We will continue to [persevere]. The world behind us is so negative, but I am happy with the team. We must continue to think positive.”

Auxerre vs PSG

PSG have now played almost four hours of football without an away goal, although midfielder Vitinha came close to a breakthrough by shooting against a post with 21 minutes left at the Stade de l’Abbe-Deschamps.

Enrique sent strikers Ousmane Dembele and Randal Kolo Muani on during the second half, but Gianluigi Donnarumma was required to save a Hamed Traore shot and almost gifted Auxerre a goal in a mix-up with Marquinhos.

The reigning champions are unbeaten in their opening 14 league matches and eight points clear of Marseille, Lille and Monaco.

Donovan Leon breaks record

Home hero Donovan Leon made 11 saves for the eighth-placed side – the most since stats began in 2006/07 of any Ligue 1 goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in the process.

Bartlomiej Dragowski is the only player to have bettered that record in the top five European leagues, making 17 saves against Atalanta in April 2019 during his time with Italian club Empoli.

In his first season as first-choice for the club he has been with for 10 years across two spells, French Guianese Leon had helped Auxerre win their previous four home matches, conceding once along the way.

Salzburg vs PSG

PSG’s visit to Austrian opponents Salzburg on Tuesday (8pm GMT) could be crucial to their chances of progressing in the Champions League after a faltering early campaign.

The 2019/20 finalists are in the automatic elimination places with three games remaining, two points off the 16 positions that would send them to the play-offs to reach the knockout stage.

“The goalkeeper was very strong today,” said Enrique. “We want to impose our superiority. I do not have the magic formula, but it will come.”




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