Luis Enrique and Marquinhos during Barça-PSG Tuesday evening in the quarter-final second leg of the Champions League. Albert Gea / REUTERS
The Parisian coach looks back on the qualification against FC Barcelona on Tuesday, in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Special envoy to Barcelona
The match and qualification : “I’m really happy, we were brilliant at the start but Barça scored in their first situation. We didn’t deserve to be behind but we were… From there, the team continued to grow, we put pressure on, the attackers played a fantastic match, Kylian (Mbappé), (Bradley) Barcola, Ous (Dembélé)… Everyone. The expulsion was a turning point, a key. But you have to know how not to make mistakes when you play against a team that plays with 10. We did it.”
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Sa joie : “I don’t have a crystal ball, but I told you so at a press conference the day before the match (Luis Enrique announced that his team was going to turn the situation around, Editor’s note). The draw would have been fairer on the first leg. We knew that things would happen, that there would be goals on the return leg, we had to believe in it. It’s happiness. I would have liked to play the semi-finals against Atlético to stay in Spain. But we know the level in Dortmund. I dedicate this victory to the 3,000 supporters who came to Barcelona.”
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Kylian Mbappé : “He was the undisputed leader of the team. You have to see the pressure that the attackers put in this match. The leader sets the example and when Kylian transmits that, we are much better.”
Managing emotions : “Throughout the season, and our supporters pushed us even when there was no result, we see a team that works. The fans see that we play like a team. We are still alive in all competitions.”
The Parisians after their qualification for the semi-final of the Champions League. Albert Gea / REUTERS
“Dortmund play very good football, it will be tough”
Luis Enrique on future semi-final opponent
Le Borussia Dortmund : “We came out of the group of death, the most difficult group of the competition. Dortmund and we are in the last four. It will be a semi-final duel. Dortmund are playing very good football, it will be tough, but we have time to prepare for this match. We are going to take advantage of this meeting, we have matches in Ligue 1.
Reassembled 2017 or 2024 : “When you are part of football as a player or coach, the greatest satisfaction is seeing the happiness that you transmit to people. I wouldn’t be stupid, I wouldn’t choose one. I hope this will be useful to the club. I hope we make it to the final.”
PSG without a match in Ligue 1 between the outward and return trips : “I understand all points of view. After playing the first leg, having six days to prepare for the return, especially mentally, is good. We were able to work on tactics and player morale. Now we are going to play three matches in a week. We will continue to be competitive, we will see when we win the championship. Whether we win or not will depend on other factors, not on whether we are competitive.”
Ronald Araujo’s red card : “I never talk about referees. I saw the action live, I haven’t rewatched the footage. Playing against Barça was super difficult, I hope I don’t have to do it again… An expulsion changes a match but I remain faithful to my way of doing things.
Le FC Barcelona : “We met FC Barcelona in their best period of the season, unlike the double confrontation against Real Sociedad in the previous round. Even without the expulsion, we would have won the match too. Xavi is the ideal coach for this Barça, I hope he will stay even if it does not depend on me.
Comments collected at a press conference.
