Luis Enrique has insisted he is still only in the early phases of developing his Paris St Germain side.
After a sometimes bumpy start to the season results-wise, PSG found some consistency in October, responding to the 4-1 Champions League defeat away to Newcastle with four straight victories in all competitions.
That has seen them move up to second in Ligue 1, one point behind Nice ahead of Friday’s home match against Montpellier, while topping their so-called Champions League ‘group of death’ ahead of Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle and AC Milan.
But although there has been progress, former Barcelona and Spain coach Enrique, appointed at the start of July, said he was only just getting started.
“This is part of a learning process,” he said. “The team is doing many things well but it is still the initial phase and we always need to remember the principles and the things we need to do…
“We are undergoing a constant development process. What I like and what we are trying to do is have an unpredictable team for our opponents, but predictable for ourselves.
“We need to generate uncertainty in our opponents but no uncertainty at PSG. That process takes longer than a usual process…
“I have coached teams that dominate and that means the opponents need to adapt their style of play and we get to play the same style.
“That is why you want different options in your team. I am pleased with the way the players have taken it in and this is only the start.”
When asked if he could quantify how far into the process he might be, Enrique said at a press conference on Thursday that would be difficult to do, but he insisted he was happy with the progress that was being made and the time taken to do it.
“If you look at the way of analysing training sessions and matches I am very pleased with all of that,” he said. “It is a very long process. I struggle to say exactly where we are.
“But I am optimistic in general and certainly pleased with what I can see. But I also know there is plenty of room for improvement because I am an ambitious person.”
Marco Asensio has returned to training after two months out but Enrique said the forward still needed some time to get back up to speed.
Danilo Pereira has been ruled out until after the upcoming international break while Keylor Navas, Nuno Mendes and Presnel Kimpembe are out.
Montpellier sit 11th in the table ahead of their trip to the capital, but Michel Der Zakarian’s side have found some form of late, losing only one of their last five and beating Toulouse 3-0 last weekend.
Swiss international Becir Omeragic is doubtful with a foot injury, but Issiaga Sylla is fit again after a calf injury.
Nashville SC v San Jose Earthquakes: ‘A win would change everything’ - Godoy
Anibal Godoy insists that Nashville are already looking at their game against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday as a must-win.
Nashville have won just once in the MLS this season and sit in 14th place in the Eastern Conference after a run of four without a win.
The Earthquakes, meanwhile, are bottom of the Western Conference having lost eight of their matches and recording just one win.
Godoy is aware of how their poor start to the season could affect their playoff hopes later down the line but is confident that Nashville can turn things around.
He said: “For us, it's an important week. It's a day we have to win, or we'll start to feel the pressure from other teams as they start to separate in the table.
“This league is long but if we want to get to the playoff you have to win games early on, especially at home.”
Liverpool agree compensation deal for Slot
Liverpool and Feyenoord have reached an agreement in principle over a compensation deal for Arne Slot to become the Reds’ manager next season, according to widespread Dutch media reports.
The Dutchman is reportedly poised to take over from Jurgen Klopp, who announced in January that he would be leaving the club at the end of the campaign.
Slot led Feyenoord to their second Eredivisie title last season after taking over the club in 2021.
It is believed that he topped the list of Liverpool’s favoured candidates due to his attacking playing style and ability to develop players.
Former Liverpool midfielder, Xabi Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title, and Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim were also reported contenders to take over from Klopp.
Slot had already confirmed his interest in managing in the Premier League, both earlier this week and previously when he was linked to Tottenham in 2023.
QPR 4-0 Leeds United: Shock loss for Farke's men seals Leicester's promotion
QPR thrashed Leeds United 4-0 in the Championship on Friday, ensuring Leicester City booked their promotion straight back to the Premier League.
Ilias Chair was the star for the Hoops as he scored the opener and assisted two more goals to ensure QPR will stay in the Championship for another season.
Lucas Andersen, Lyndon Dykes and Sam Field also got their names on the scoresheet in an emphatic win for Marti Cifuentes' side.
Leeds' heaviest defeat of the season was a huge blow in the race for an automatic promotion spot, with Ipswich Town just one point behind them in third place with two games in hand going into their away clash against Hull City on Saturday.
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