"It's going to be spectacular": Luis Enrique talks up Champions League semi-final
30/04/2024 19:47
In his press conference ahead of tomorrow’s UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg with Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique did not hesitate to hype up the clash, appearing buoyant, bullish and cracking jokes along the way.
PSG are heavy favourites to progress, something that Enrique did not entertain and laughed off:
“I think going out would be a disappointment for any of the four teams left in the semi-finals. It’s not any different for us! PSG immense favourites? It’s proof that the press knows nothing about football (laughs). It’s nice to be able to enjoy a special match, in a unique atmosphere, to try and arrive in the final”.
Both teams’ quarter finals, contrary to popular convention regarding the latter stages of the Champions League being tight, tactical affairs, were gloriously open, with PSG prevailing 6-4 on aggregate against FC Barcelona and Dortmund edging Atlético Madrid 5-4 on aggregate, both teams having overturned first leg deficits:
“I think this tie will be similar to the quarter finals. We’re not a cagey team, Dortmund is the same. We are going to try and win this match with our football. I think it will be spectacular, there will definitely be goals given the ability of both teams to create chances. We are improving, we are at the start of our project. There is one month left of the season and we are still in all competitions. We will have to manage these emotions, handle the pressure, be ambitious. We can’t start to see the pressure as a threat.
We have progressed in all aspects, defensively and offensively, but we can still get better. That’s our way of managing the group, to be demanding of the players. We have shown character to overcome difficult moments where we were losing games, showing our character. The line between victory and defeat in this competition is very thin, I am sure all the details will count in this confrontation.
All teams have weaknesses, but I always think my team is the best. We aren’t perfect, we have lost matches this season, but our objective is to play matches where we are the best team. If we manage to set the pace of the game and keep the ball from Dortmund, we will cause them problems.”
The progress the team has made was laid bare for all to see in the quarter final, with PSG overturning a 3-2 first leg home loss to hammer Barcelona 4-1 in Catalunya, in what many observers remarked to be a turning point for Enrique’s young team:
“I hope the Barcelona game took a weight off our shoulders. We did something that had never been done, qualifying for the next round after having lost the first leg at home. However, I am experienced enough to know that it counts for nothing tomorrow. During the group stage, we were incapable of winning away, and then we went and beat Barcelona and San Sebastian. We’re not thinking about the return leg being at the Parc des Princes, our objectif is to be courageous.
We have a young team, it’s funny. If we lose, it’s because our team is young, if we win, it’s somehow luck? Age is not important. Look at cycling for example, there are younger and younger cyclists, the youngsters are very ready. I have never chosen my starting line up based on age. Whether they’re 55 or 16, it’s not important. It doesn’t matter whether we win with youngsters or experienced players. This statistic is good for the future of the team.”
Despite PSG never having won the Champions League, Enrique is keen to avoid the idea of pressure, striking a relaxed tone before such an important game:
“It’s the pressure that each person wants to put on it. I love such pressure, but if you’re not capable of handling it as a player, member of staff etc… I’ve experienced this in big clubs, I welcome this pressure. If we could play the semi-finals of the Champions League every year, I’d be delighted.”
