Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique has adapted some interesting training methods designed to prevent his players from arguing with referees, Marquinhos has revealed. The Spanish coach intentionally blows the whistle with "bad calls" to provoke his players, according to the club captain, who heaped praise on his manager.

Marquinhos thriving under Luis Enrique at PSG

The Brazilian defender opened up on Enrique's methods of instilling discipline in his team since his 2023 arrival, 10 years after Marquinhos rocked up at the Parc des Princes. The 31-year-old has worked under several top coaches in the French capital, including Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Unai Emery and Laurent Blanc, but he shares a special love for the ex-Barcelona boss and gave an insight into his unique ideas to discourage dissent and ensure they don't drop momentum at any moment.

AdvertisementAFPLuis Enrique's interesting training tactic revealed

"Every coach has their own specificities and I have a lot of respect for all of them," he told . "I really like Luis Enrique, he's very strong. He's a great coach who addresses all aspects of the game. He knows how to motivate the players and has prepared us physically, tactically and mentally. 

"We're ready to adapt to all scenarios. Whether we win or lose, we move forward and get the result. The team can overcome all the circumstances of a match. And that's thanks to Luis Enrique because he's interested in the smallest details. 

"For example, to teach us never to question the referee's decisions, he deliberately whistles bad decisions in training. This makes us work mentally and gets us used to not stopping playing."

Marquinhos reflects on Dembele's Ballon d'Or hopes

After winning a clean sweep of trophies last season, including their maiden Champions League crown, the Ligue 1 giants have a total of nine players nominated for the Ballon d'Or this year. While much buzz has been generated around Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal, many are demanding the prize go to PSG Ousmane Dembele,

"I have nine teammates nominated for the Ballon d'Or, it's still very difficult to choose one! But of course, Ousmane is an exceptional player and if he wins the Ballon d'Or, it will be well deserved," Marquinhos said of the subject.

"Honestly, no [we don't talk about it in the dressing room]. That's not our goal. The coach doesn't like it when we focus on individuals. If someone put their individual case before collective interests, they would find themselves following a different philosophy from ours. We want to win collective trophies first, individual titles come later."

AFPChampions League defence begins

Les Parisiens kick off their Champions League defence against Atalanta at Parc des Princes, revisiting a tie that nearly shocked them back in 2020. It took stoppage time goals from Marquinhos and Eric Choupo-Moting to seal a 2-1 win for the French side after a first-half opener from the Italian side. 

This time, Atalanta arrive weakened by summer departures, while PSG look in supreme form, having won all five competitive matches so far this season.