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8 months ago
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Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has said that his players are ready to turn the UEFA Champions League quarter-final round against Barcelona on its head.
PSG travel to Catalonia to take on Barcelona in the second leg, with the Blaugrana leading the tie 3-2 on aggregate.
Speaking during the pre-match press conference, Enrique, a former Barcelona coach himself, said that his team is looking forward to the game, adding that it will be a historic night for the team.
“All the players are prepared, we are eager to turn the tie around,” said Enrique as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
“We want to return all the support we received at the Parc des Princes. PSG has never turned the tie around, tomorrow will be the day,” he added.
He expects Barcelona to use a similar approach
Statistically, Barcelona were dominated by PSG during the first leg, but Xavi managed to devise a plan that countered the French team to mere perfection.
Speaking about it, Enrique said that PSG will put pressure early and he expects Barcelona to counter it with a similar strategy.
“I think the match is going to present the same circumstances. PSG is going to press from minute 1, Barcelona will use the long game and the pass to the last line, taking advantage of the space.
PSG were outwitted by Barcelona in the first leg. (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)
“I think Ter Stegen broke a record of 24 long balls to overcome the pressure. We will do the same, and I think that Barça will also use the last line to create danger for us.
“I hope that is not the case, but I foresee a game with goals for both teams. I think that the urgency will make the spectators watch the game,” explained the PSG manager.
A match at Camp Nou would have been perfect
Being a former Barcelona coach, Enrique said that it would have been better if the match was held at the iconic Camp Nou and not Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium.
“I would prefer to have played at the Camp Nou, like all the Barcelona fans. This stage is also up to par, it brings back good memories because I played the Olympic Games here.”
Enrique went on to say that the first-leg result does not mean Barcelona were better. He explained that despite the setback, his team has had enough time to analyse and it is time for them to leave everything behind.
“This second match is a little different because there was no match between the two. We had the necessary time to analyze and improve our performance.
“It was a very close match, the result does not exactly reflect what we deserved, but the 2-3 It means that we are behind on the scoreboard.
“We are not a team that speculates and we are totally convinced that we will turn the score around,” he explained.
Enrique’s thoughts on Xavi
Luis Enrique has nothing but respect for Xavi. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Xavi recently heaped praises on Enrique, saying that considering his strength, the PSG boss will not hold back. Reacting to his words, Enrique said that upon entering the field, he is going to get very emotional.
“You have left me stunned, it is unbelievable. I thank you, in his last year he was a great help for Barça, he added to every aspect of the game. Very nice, I’m going to get emotional and everything.”
Lastly, he also admitted that he is not worried about the atmosphere. On the other hand, he also said that Xavi is a top manager his achievements both on and off the field reflect that.
“I’m worried about 0, I ignore it. Whenever I’ve come here, the public has always received me very well. I feel like just another Culé. I’ll gladly accept whatever it is and I’ll behave like a professional.
“With regard to Xavi, as I already knew and I am not new, everything I say about Xavi will be seen as something against him. I will never be able to meet Xavi the coach because he will not be able to coach me.
“I made my claim and I maintain it because a defeat does not change anything and I repeat I would have liked that I had entered, as Guardiola, Aragones. I have no doubt that Xavi is Top and the results support him,” he said.
