‘Against them, it’s difficult not to panic’ – PSG boss Luis Enrique praises Barcelona’s performance

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique spoke highly of Barcelona after his team secured a 2-1 win over the Blaugrana on Matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League. 

The victory came in the final minutes, but Enrique was quick to highlight the quality of football displayed by both sides.

“It was an excellent match between two teams that don’t just kick the ball, but rather try to hurt each other with the ball.

“It was a spectacle to see so many quality players on the pitch,” he said. 

Acknowledging Barça’s talent and youth

Enrique also admitted that Barcelona held the upper hand in the first half. “With their goal, we felt behind, but thanks to a great move by Nuno [Mendes], we managed to regain our form.

“In the second half, we were better and found our best game.” 

The PSG manager also highlighted the challenge of facing young talents like Pedri, praising their technical ability and composure under pressure.

Luis Enrique praised Barcelona despite win. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

“Making mistakes is normal, but what’s clear is that, alongside Pedri, Vitinha is the best midfielder in the world. We had a hard time stopping Pedri today. 

“It’s great to face these players because they make my players want to improve. Plus, we played with 17- or 18-year-old youth players, and that’s wonderful,” Enrique added. 

His words showed appreciation not only for Barcelona’s established stars but also for the emerging talents pushing the game forward.

Finally, Enrique reflected on his approach to high-pressure matches like this one. “Against Barça, it’s difficult not to panic, but you have to know how to adapt. 

“Last year, we overcame many difficulties, and today we proved it again. This continues.” 

For Enrique, the result was important, but the performance and the level of competition were equally valuable, highlighting the excitement and quality of Hansi Flick’s Barcelona.

Source: Mundo Deportivo