Luis Enrique has praised Paris Saint-Germain’s mentality and adaptability after his side secured an impressive 4-2 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League, insisting that he has the best players in the world while emphasising the importance of maintaining their competitive edge throughout the campaign.
Speaking at a post-match press conference, the PSG manager reflected on his team’s performance against one of Europe’s strongest sides, highlighting their defensive organisation, aggressive pressing and ability to respond when Barcelona took control of the game.
“I have the best players in the world, and that’s what I believe. They’re the best for me. There are no better players than mine,” Luis Enrique said.
The Spaniard also praised Lucas Hernández, who was named in the starting lineup and delivered an impressive performance against Barcelona’s attacking threats. The PSG manager highlighted the defender’s experience and his ability to neutralise one of the opposition’s most dangerous players.
“We have a player like Lucas, who has a great deal of experience. He did an incredible job marking one of the best players in the world. He did everything right. He deserves this performance because he’s an important player for the team. I’m very happy for him. He deserves this reward,” he explained.
Luis Enrique was keen to stress that the team’s progress should not be measured by results alone, pointing instead to their tactical execution and ability to adapt to different phases of the game. He was particularly pleased with PSG’s defensive work in the first half, when their high press helped them recover possession and create opportunities to extend their lead.
“You can’t judge games based on the results. What I can say, and what matters to me, is that the team is capable of producing a sensational first half in defensive terms. We won the ball back many times through our high press and created chances to score even more goals,” he said.
The PSG manager also acknowledged the periods in which Barcelona dominated possession, explaining that his players responded by adjusting their approach and looking to exploit opportunities on the counterattack.
“We were able to overcome difficult periods when Barcelona dominated the game. We’re a team that adapts to whatever happens on the pitch. We started counterattacking, and that showed the kind of team we are and our ability to adapt to any situation,” Luis Enrique added.
The 54-year-old also highlighted the influence of PSG’s supporters, explaining that their energy helps the team sustain its aggressive approach. However, he recognised the quality of Barcelona’s attacking players, naming Raphinha, Pedri, Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo among those who make the Catalan side such a difficult opponent.
“I see PSG as I always have. This is our style: aggressive. It’s easier to press with our fans behind us. We feel their energy, and we’re convinced this is the best way to win games,” he said.
“We also know how difficult it is to face players like Raphinha, Pedri, Lamine Yamal and Olmo. Barcelona’s ability is incredible. They represent the highest level you can face.”
Despite the significance of the victory, the PSG manager admitted that the injuries sustained by three of his players were the biggest disappointment of the evening. He confirmed that further examinations would be required before the extent of the injuries could be established.
“I’m not a doctor. I know all three players are injured, which is the worst thing about this game. We’ll have to wait for tomorrow’s examinations. The worst news for us is that all three have picked up injuries,” Luis Enrique revealed.
Looking ahead, Luis Enrique insisted that PSG must remain focused despite having already faced Manchester City and Barcelona in the group stage. He pointed to last season’s campaign as a reminder that a strong position at this stage does not guarantee qualification among the competition’s top eight teams.
“We’ve already played against the two best teams in our group: Manchester City and Barcelona. Let me remind you that last year we had the same number of points as we do now, and we didn’t finish in the top eight,” he explained.
“We’re going to enjoy the victory and the moment we’re in. Now we’re already thinking about this weekend’s game against Olympique Lyonnais, as we look to continue showing our ambition.”
The PSG manager also played down suggestions that his team should be considered favourites to win the Champions League, arguing that the decisive stage of the competition remains several months away. For him, the priority is to keep improving and ensure that his squad remains competitive.
“I don’t care what other people say about us being favourites. Until today, I haven’t seen anyone consider PSG the favourites. I can accept that,” he said.
“The truth is that this isn’t a decisive game. The most important matches will come in April, when the knockout rounds begin. Our aim is to keep winning games and make the team as competitive as possible.”
Luis Enrique was particularly pleased with his players’ mentality against a Barcelona side that had been scoring freely in the competition. He pointed to the two goals conceded as evidence of the difficulty of the challenge, while praising PSG for finding the net four times to secure all three points.
“Today’s game showed the players’ mentality. We know what our opponents are capable of, as they had been averaging four goals per game. Despite everything we did today, they scored only two,” he said.
“That shows we did our job very well. We scored the four goals that gave us the opportunity to take all three points.”
Speaking to Movistar Plus+ after the final whistle, Luis Enrique described the encounter as a difficult but evenly matched contest, acknowledging Barcelona’s ability to take control during certain periods of the second half.
“I saw the kind of game I expected: a very difficult one. You don’t fully realise Barcelona’s level until you come up against them. It was a very evenly matched game. We were excellent in the first half, but in the second half we had a few difficult minutes when Barcelona controlled more of the play. Then we managed to take control again,” he said.
The PSG manager also emphasised that adaptability is essential when competing for major trophies, particularly against opponents with comparable quality or even greater strengths in certain areas. Reflecting on last season, he referenced the challenges posed by Bayern Munich as an example of the level required to succeed in Europe.
“To win games and major trophies, especially when you face opponents at your level or even above it, you have to know how to adapt to different situations during a game. Last year, there were games like the one against Bayern Munich where you had to perform well against top-level opposition. Otherwise, they can beat you,” Luis Enrique explained.
Despite PSG’s convincing victory, the Spaniard was careful not to suggest that his team had established itself above the rest of Europe. Instead, he credited the work of his forwards, whose pressing played a crucial role in disrupting Barcelona’s build-up.
“We’re not above everyone else. Thinking we’re the best or that we’re special would be the first trap to fall into,” he said.
“We were superior today thanks to the pressure from our forwards. Against a team like Barcelona, if you want to win the ball back, you either have to defend with support from your teammates or it’s impossible to stop them.”
Luis Enrique also addressed his personal connection to Barcelona, having previously played for and managed the Catalan club, making clear that his professional responsibilities remain his priority.
“I’m a Barça supporter, and I’m a professional. I enjoy my team’s victories,” he added.
In a separate interview with CBS Sports, Luis Enrique described the match as an entertaining spectacle, praising the intensity and attacking intent displayed by both teams.
“It was fun. Fun for the coaches, fun for the fans, fun for everyone. When you love football, the way we try to play is exciting. We were able to enjoy it,” he said.
The PSG manager also reiterated his commitment to maintaining the same playing philosophy regardless of the opposition, explaining that his team’s aggressive approach becomes particularly effective when executed at the highest level.
“We try to play every game in the same way. We’re used to playing like this. We know that when we reach this level, it’s very difficult for our opponents,” Luis Enrique explained.
He concluded by acknowledging Barcelona’s quality and insisting that the contest was between two sides capable of securing victory.
“We had one of the best teams in the world in front of us. Both teams deserved to win,” he said.
With the 4-2 victory providing another significant result in their European campaign, PSG will now turn their attention to their upcoming Ligue 1 fixture against Olympique Lyonnais. Luis Enrique, however, has made it clear that his side cannot afford to become complacent, with the ultimate objective being to maintain their consistency and peak at the decisive stages of the Champions League.