With the phrase “99.9% champions” echoing through the locker room, Luis Enrique and his Paris Saint-Germain squad are preparing for their trip to Lens this Wednesday, May 13. Holding a six-point lead and a massive 15-goal advantage in goal difference with only two matches remaining, the domestic title is all but secured, even if the Parisians falter at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

This lack of genuine tension in the league standings is a strategic advantage for the coach. His primary focus has shifted entirely toward ensuring his team is in the best possible physical and mental shape for the momentous clash on May 30 against Arsenal in the Champions League final. The upcoming domestic fixtures are now essentially high-level training sessions designed to manage minor injuries, rest key starters, and keep the rest of the squad match-ready.

Strategic rotation and workload management

During the recent semi-final second leg in Munich, the depth of the squad was evident, with eight of the eleven starters having played fewer than 1,350 minutes in Ligue 1 this season. Luis Enrique is committed to this calculated approach to fitness and has indicated that his lineup against second-place Lens will not necessarily be his strongest. Following a 1-0 victory over Brest, the coach emphasized that his main priority is analyzing individual workloads to ensure every player reaches peak performance by the end of the month.

“We will certainly be competitive in Lens and against Paris FC, but the ultimate goal remains the match on May 30.”

Luis Enrique, PSG head coach,

during a press briefing.

The players share this sentiment. Désiré Doué, who secured the win against Brest, noted that while Lens is a formidable opponent, the atmosphere and intensity of a Champions League final are incomparable. While some attackers were rested recently, players like Fabian Ruiz and Marquinhos, who played significant minutes in Munich and against Brest, might be the next to see their playing time reduced to avoid fatigue.

Refining tactical adjustments

The remaining league matches also provide a laboratory for tactical tweaks. The transition of Lucas Beraldo into a defensive midfield role seems to be a permanent fixture after his late-game appearances in that position against Liverpool and Munich. Similarly, the emergence of Senny Mayulu on the right side of the defense has been a highlight for the coaching staff.

Luis Enrique pointed out that playing as a full-back for Paris Saint-Germain requires an exceptional “engine,” a quality he sees in players like Achraf Hakimi and Warren Zaïre-Emery. The 19-year-old Mayulu has demonstrated both the stamina and the tactical versatility required for the role. After solid performances against Lorient and Brest, he is proving to be a reliable backup for the right-back position should Hakimi remain unavailable for the final.

Lens shifts focus to the cup final

Even for Lens, the significance of this match has diminished. The battle for the top spot is effectively over, and coach Pierre Sage is already looking ahead to the Coupe de France final against Nice. Following a 1-0 win over FC Nantes, Sage acknowledged that while they tried to pressure the leaders, their own inconsistent season made overtaking them impossible.

Sage offered praise for the Parisian side, noting that they have likely secured another league title and are on track for a potential second Champions League trophy. For the Sang et Or, securing second place in the league is a success, but the priority now lies in lifting the domestic cup.