Coach Luis Enrique downplayed Paris St. Germain's struggles on Saturday, emphasizing that the Ligue 1 club has shown steady improvement over the course of the season, with statistics painting a positive picture.
PSG currently have just seven points from six games in the Champions League and risk missing out on the knockout stage, sitting in 25th place, one point outside the playoff positions.
While they have been much more dominant in the French league and remain unbeaten after 14 matches, they have drawn their last two games, allowing second-placed Olympique de Marseille to narrow the gap to five points.
In both draws, against Auxerre and Nantes, PSG created numerous scoring opportunities and recorded at least 10 shots on target.
"Statistically, it's my best season as a coach. Even if you criticise or invent lies, it's my best in terms of numbers, including the chances we generate and those we concede," Luis Enrique told reporters.
"I've had seasons with great success, but I only see positive things here. No matter the negativity since the start of the season, little by little, things are falling into place, and I'm very happy with this season.
"There have been challenges in the Champions League, but it’s a process of growth that depends on overcoming problems. The level of training is rising, and the players are improving every day. This is the best season of my career."
PSG attacker Bradley Barcola has struggled in front of goal recently, going three league matches without scoring after netting 10 times in the first 11 games.
Luis Enrique noted that Barcola is still contributing to the team, saying: "Bradley has been decisive in every game. You judge him on assists or goals, but football is a much more complex sport.
"A player can be key without scoring or providing an assist. What matters is that all 11 players attack and defend together. That’s the objective. Who wins the best player award is not important for us."
On Sunday, PSG host fifth-placed Lyon, who have won their last four matches across all competitions, including impressive victories over Qarabag and Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League.
"We know Lyon well. They are a team in excellent form at the moment, well-ranked in both Europe and Ligue 1," the Spanish manager said.
"They have real quality in their squad, which motivates us and drives us to be up to the task.
"The danger Lyon presents is their ability to keep possession. They have some very talented individual players."
