Luis Enrique is a happy coach. Coach of Barcelona in 2017 when Barça defeated PSG 6-1 after their 4-0 defeat at the Parc des Princes, he is now that of Paris. Who has just written a new chapter in his personal legend, by overthrowing the Catalans, who led 4-2 over the two matches. He finally won 4-1 and reached the semi-finals against Dortmund, on April 30 or May 1. The Spaniard was at a press conference after the meeting behind the scenes at the Montjuic stadium.
How do you feel after this success?
LUIS ENRIQUE. First of all, it was difficult to face Barça on an emotional and personal level. I tried to control my emotions. I did my job in both matches. I hope I don’t have to play Barça again. I’m super happy. We were brilliant at the start, with wonderful first minutes. We didn’t deserve to lose but we lost after Lamine Yamal’s escape. From there, the team continued to grow. The attackers had a fantastic match. The expulsion was key but even against ten players, you have to play this type of match. The score is fair.
Paris had never managed to reverse the trend. You are the first coach to achieve it. Are you proud?
I don’t have a magic ball but I said yesterday (Monday) that it was possible. The result on the first leg didn’t seem fair to me. A draw would have been fairer. We knew there would be goals. The players believed it. It’s happiness. I can’t prove it but I think A. I would have loved to continue playing in Spain, in Madrid. I dedicate this victory to the 3000 supporters who came so far.
“Mbappé set an example”
Has Mbappé proven that he is more Parisian than ever until the end of the season?
He was the undisputed leader of our team. The three attackers put pressure on five Barcelona players. He set the example. When he transmits that, we are better.
Did you contribute a lot to the emotional management of PSG, an area where Paris was sinking before?
Throughout the season, fans have seen a team that is struggling and working. We are a team, we can play well or badly but we will seek the result. There is a connection between the fans and the team. It’s very positive. Everyone saw us eliminated, not the supporters who came here. We are alive in all competitions.
Dotmund in the semi-final, is that a surprise?
We have time to prepare for this meeting. We will first enjoy.
You made a comeback in 2017 with Barcelona, another in 2024 against Barcelona. Which one gives you the most emotions?
Obviously I’m not going to choose between the two. When you are part of professional football, the desire is to see that you make people happy through your work. That’s what I tell my players: you can make people smile. The first comeback was of no use since we were eliminated in the next round. I hope this will help win something for the club. I hope to make it to the final this time.
You got a full week of preparation, which may have been criticized in France. Do you think this worked in your favor?
As a coach, I understand all points of view. Have six days to prepare for the match, heal the mentality of a defeat, boost the morale of the players and prepare the tactics; it’s ideal. Now we have three games in a week. We must play each match with the same professionalism. The day we win Ligue 1, we will remain professional until the end.
Was Araujo’s expulsion decisive?
I’m not talking about referees in general. In the twelve years that I have been a coach, I do not judge them. I’m talking about what I can control. An expulsion conditions a match like this. But I want my players to first understand what it’s like to wear the PSG jersey.
