This Wednesday, Paris Saint-Germain will welcome FC Barcelona to the Parc des Princes for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal matchup.
The matchup is a sentimental one for manager Luis Enrique, who won the 2015 Champions League as the manager of the Catalan club. Despite the emotional connection, there’s a side that wants to beat his former club.
Enrique spoke with PSG TV and noted the mindset that he has heading into the two legs. Furthermore, the comments might sound like someone with a chip on their shoulder eager to prove he’s still one of the best coaches in football.
“We are in a good run and I am convinced that we can knock out Barça,” Enrique told PSG TV. “Playing Barcelona is difficult for me from an emotional point of view, but at the same time it’s stimulating. I want to do a good job. I want my team, PSG to win the match. I want to prove to them and to myself that as a professional, I’m at the top of the game. And that means beating Barça.
“To hurt them, we will have to give the best version of ourselves. Barcelona is a very high level club. It’s a good team. It will be very difficult, but we are at a very high level too.”
Luis Enrique to PSGTV: “We are in a good run and I am convinced that we can knock out Barça. Playing Barcelona is difficult for me from an emotional point of view, but at the same time it’s stimulating. I want to do a good job. I want my team, PSG to win the match. I want to… pic.twitter.com/GLisJXweJX
— PSG Report (@PSG_Report) April 8, 2024
The Blaugrana must also proceed cautiously in light of the upcoming second leg at Montjuïc, as a significant number of players are at risk of suspension in the premier continental competition.
Defenders Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen, midfielders Sergi Roberto and Frenkie de Jong, and forwards Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, and Joao Félix are all on the verge of suspension.
