Luis Enrique admitted it would be "contradictory" for Paris Saint-Germain to aim for a top-eight Champions League finish, as he wants his team to play more matches.
Last season, PSG were in danger of missing out on the play-offs but finished 15th in the 36-team standings, then went on to win the competition for the first time.
This term, they are sitting third in the table with two games left, though only two points separate them from ninth place, with the top of the standings incredibly congested as teams battle to advance directly to the round of 16.
PSG will play fewer games than last season regardless of where they finish, having suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Paris FC in the last 32 of the Coupe de France last week.
And Luis Enrique believes the lighter schedule that comes with making the top eight could hinder his team.
"To be honest, I think it's important for the team's confidence to win and take the three points, but I'm not sure it's the best thing, because if we qualify in the top eight, we won't play in the play-offs," Luis Enrique said ahead of meeting Sporting CP on Tuesday.
"And we'll already be missing the Coupe de France matches. But it's certain that the objective is to win and finish in the top eight teams, even if I'm not sure that's the best thing. It's contradictory."
PSG are meeting Sporting for the first time in Europe, with the Parisiens winning just one of their eight previous away matches against Portuguese teams in major European competitions (D2 L5).
From Paris to Lisbon! #UCL pic.twitter.com/YqIz3wmAYP
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 19, 2026
And PSG have not lost a Champions League match against a team from outside one of Europe's big five leagues since December 2013 in a 2-1 loss at Benfica – they are unbeaten in 32 such matches since then (W26 D6).
Luis Enrique's side drew their last European match 0-0 against Athletic Club, but they come into this game on the back of a resounding 3-0 victory over Lille in Ligue 1.
"There's no better competition for a player or for the team," Luis Enrique said.
"In terms of performance, it's in the same vein as last season, when we dominated the matches but didn't win due to a lack of efficiency.
"We're in the crucial part of the season. We're getting injured players back. It's the best time of the season; we need to prepare well and be focused. It's an important moment in the Champions League.
"Tuesday's match is in an exceptional stadium against a tough team like Sporting. They're a team with quality players who like to have the ball.
"It will be tight and difficult, perhaps similar to the Athletic match. We knew we had a difficult schedule. We need the three points to secure qualification for the round of 16."