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6 months ago
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Barcelona and PSG are set to square off in a blockbuster clash on Wednesday night at Parc des Princes in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League.
It promises to be a special outing for Luis Enrique as he comes face-to-face with his former employers, whom he led to a historic treble close to a decade ago.
Ahead of tomorrow’s match, the Spanish tactician appeared in front of the press to preview the game and discussed various topics, including Kylian Mbappe among others.
Enrique was asked about Mbappe and his form heading into tomorrow’s mega-event, but the PSG manager opted to highlight the entire team, saying:
“I think you ask me an individual question and I answer with a collective one. We are in the best moment of the season.”
When asked if his familiarity with Barcelona would be an added advantage for PSG tomorrow, the ex-Spain boss replied:
“I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but I don’t know Xavi as a coach. I know Xavi as a teammate and player, I know the club. I don’t know if it can be an advantage, but it’s a very important game for me on an emotional level. I’m ready to give everything for the team.”
PSG go into tomorrow’s match without the services of key man Achraf Hakimi due to suspension. His replacement, Nordi Mukiele, is also a doubt due to an injury he suffered this past weekend.
So, when asked about how he planned to replace Hakimi against Barça, Enrique replied: “I have the habit of finding solutions when there are players who can’t play. It’s normal. You have to be able to overcome injuries. I have my decision and tomorrow you will see.
“Everything is possible. You have to use your resources. Instead of seeing a problem, I see an opportunity.”
Luis Enrique will face off against former club Barcelona. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)Discussing his reunion with Barcelona, the PSG boss added: “It’s a different game for me. I played against Sporting as a player and scored goals, now it’s my turn to play against Barça.
“I have a relationship of total love, but my profession and the club that bet on me come first. I want to give PSG victories and titles. I want to be up to the challenge.”
Heading into the contest, there are a host of players on both teams who are facing a suspension risk for the second leg. But Enrique insisted that he is not focused on that aspect, saying:
“There are some Barça players who could be suspended. So have we. But it’s not something that interests me. I would like all Barça players to play, to play against the best Barça possible. I like to see the best players on the pitch. My wish is to face the opponent at full strength.”
Shedding light on what aspect of Barcelona he fears the most heading into tomorrow’s clash, Enrique said:
“To think they are a weak Barça. They have a good dynamic in attack and they have players of a top individual level. It’s a complicated match, but at the same time stimulating. I hope there will be a healthy experience and that it will be a beautiful tie.”
When asked who represents the Barça style the best, Lucho replied: “Without a doubt, me. Look at the data and the titles, the high pressure. No doubt about it.”
“We are two teams with the same idea. We are offensive and we want to recover the ball quickly. This is our goal. We hope to be better than them,” he added, discussing his team’s strategy for the match.
On whether he sees PSG as the favourites for the match, Enrique replied: “Even if I don’t accept it, there will be people who think so. It doesn’t matter to me.
“When the ball starts rolling that’s when it’s important. Whoever is more aggressive and effective. To be cast as the favourite… I prefer to be cast as the underdog.”
Source: Mundo Deportivo
