PSG manager Luis Enrique admitted that his side were in danger of letting victory slip away in their Champions League clash against Manchester City. The Parisians secured a 4-2 win, despite holding a three-goal lead at half-time.
The tactician noted that PSG showcased the type of football he wants from his players in the first half. However, the hosts regrouped after the break, causing a few anxious moments for the Parisians.
“How proud am I of this team? That’s a difficult question to answer because the match played out in completely different ways. I think in the first half, we showed how we want to play against a strong Manchester City side. In my opinion, we significantly outclassed our opponents,” Enrique stated post-match.
However, the coach acknowledged that a large lead at half-time doesn't always help maintain focus for his players.
“I don’t like leading 3-0 at half-time because it creates a sense that the match is already won. But that’s not the case—at this level, no game is ever decided in advance,” he emphasised.
In the second half, PSG faced intense pressure from Manchester City, who netted two goals and could have drawn closer still.
“In the second half, we suffered quite a bit. They deserved to score more goals. With a bit of bad luck, we could have lost this match,” admitted Luis Enrique.
The coach also praised Ousmane Dembele, highlighting the French forward's unique qualities and his passion for big matches.
“Usman is Usman! It’s you journalists who speak poorly of him. He’s a special player who loves playing in matches of this magnitude,” the manager said.
In conclusion, Enrique underscored that participating in Europe's elite club competition motivates the entire squad.
“I believe we’re a team where all players love competing at this level,” he added.
