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The Spanish manager explained how PSG adapted their defensive approach, exploited transitions and regained control of the game to overcome Barcelona in a thrilling Champions League encounter.
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The defending champions equalled their longest-ever unbeaten streak in the competition, underlining their consistency and determination to maintain their dominance on the European stage.
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Despite the emphatic victory, the PSG boss warned his players against believing they are superior, insisting that collective defensive effort and effective ball recovery were crucial to overcoming the Spanish giants.
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The French champions scored four goals against Barcelona for the fourth time in the competition, becoming the first club to achieve the feat more often than any other side in Champions League history.
October 21, (THEWILL) – PSG coach, Luis Enrique, has opened up on how the team recorded a stunning 4-2 win over Barcelona in their Champions League clash at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.
The defending champions earned the maximum points thanks to goals from Desire Doue, Lucas Hernandez, Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz.
PSG are now unbeaten in 13 consecutive Champions League matches, equalling their longest-ever unbeaten run in the competition.
The French giants continued their blistering start in the competition this season, scoring 14 goals and conceding five to register their intent to defend the trophy they have won in the last two seasons.
Following another impressive performance against Barcelona, Enrique explained how his team secured the win over the Spanish giants, who were unbeaten in the competition prior to the clash.
“To win important matches and claim trophies, you must adapt to the game situation. For 15 minutes, we had to build a ‘defensive setup,’ but we excelled in transition play. Last year, against Bayern Munich, we also had to defend unavoidably. The opponents are high-level teams that can win at any time”, Enrique said.
He admitted that Barcelona made life difficult for the team but praised his players for the vital win.
“It was as expected. It was very difficult and complex. It’s hard to realise Barcelona’s level until you face them directly.
“It was a very tight game. In the first half, the opponent controlled the game well, recovered the ball effectively in our half, and showed good performance. In the second half, we struggled for 10 to 15 minutes, but then regained momentum, scored first, and found stability”, he added.
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The Spanish manager rejected the suggestion that PSG are now better than Barcelona despite the victory.
“No. That would be the first trap. If we think we are the best or special, that’s a trap. Today, we did good defensive work. We dominated ball recovery in the opponent’s half in the first half, thanks to our attackers. To steal the ball from players like Lamin, Fermin, and Olmo, cooperative defence is essential; otherwise, defence is impossible”, he stated.
Enrique concluded by reserving praises for Barcelona, describing the Spanish team as an incredibly high-level team.
“I am a Barcelona fan. But I am a professional and enjoy my team’s victory.
“Barcelona is an incredibly high-level team individually and collectively. This gives more value to our team’s performance. The worst news today is the injuries. Three key players getting injured is the worst news. But top-level football is like that.”
PSG scored four goals against Barcelona in a Champions League match for the fourth time, more than any other club in the competition’s history.
