Marquinhos Signals Tough Selection as Luis Enrique Prepares PSG for Champions League Battle

Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos has made it clear to his teammates that manager Luis Enrique will not hesitate to drop any player who fails to give their all. The reigning European champions are readying themselves for their first group stage match against Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday night.

PSG Ready to Defend Their Title

The French side kicks off their Champions League campaign at Parc des Princes, facing Yaya Touré's Slovan Bratislava. After securing back-to-back titles with last season’s penalty shootout win over Arsenal, PSG aim to start strong in Europe despite a rocky start domestically, having failed to win any of their first three Ligue 1 matches this season.

Captain Demands Full Effort From Squad

Marquinhos emphasized that every squad member must show complete dedication in training or risk exclusion by Enrique. Speaking about the manager's strict approach, he said:

"He’s not just making tough calls this year. He manages his way. The whole group needs to give 100% in training to keep their spot. That’s what he expects. It’s on the players to push themselves daily. Sometimes players get left out—it hurts but everyone understands. That’s football. He’s done a good job so far, and his method works. He has his philosophy and isn’t afraid to make hard decisions when needed."

Enrique Stresses No Room for Complacency

Enrique boasts a remarkable 63% win rate in the Champions League, the highest among coaches with over 50 games in the competition. Warning his team against underestimating Slovan Bratislava, he said:

"This competition is the toughest. How many teams can really win it? Five, six, eight. The margin is very small. We want a strong start. The match might look easy, but there are no easy games here. Focus is key."

PSG Aim to Reignite Domestic and European Form

History favors PSG, as no defending champion has lost their opening home match in Europe since 1967. A confident showing is vital to boost morale ahead of a demanding autumn schedule. Enrique needs to restore consistency to end their current Ligue 1 winless streak while maintaining their grip on European glory.

• Champions League Match: Paris Saint-Germain vs Slovan Bratislava
• Date & Time: 9 Sept 2026, 21:00
• Location: Parc des Princes