PSG Coach Luis Enrique Cautious About Uncertainties in New Champions League

In a nail-biting clash on Wednesday, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) managed to secure a narrow victory against Girona, primarily thanks to a late mistake by Girona’s goalkeeper, Paulo Gazzaniga. Despite dominating much of the match, PSG’s triumph came in the dying minutes when a shot from Nuno Mendes found its way through Gazzaniga’s legs, sealing a 1-0 win for the French champions.

Following the game, PSG manager Luis Enrique expressed his uncertainty regarding the new Champions League format, stating that it complicates how to evaluate this win. “Winning a match or any title is difficult, but we don’t know the dimension of this competition with this format,” Enrique remarked. “We have to play against teams that may have easier schedules than ours. How many points will we ultimately need?”

Under the revamped Champs League structure, each team faces eight different opponents. The top eight teams in a 36-team league will automatically qualify for the knockout stages, while the next 16 will compete for a chance at advancement.

Throughout the match, PSG maintained significant pressure but faced resistance from Girona, who executed a solid defensive strategy. Luis Enrique acknowledged this after the game, saying, “I think we were superior, but Girona played us in circles and made us dizzy. We knew that if we didn’t press, we would suffer.”

The match was particularly grueling for the PSG squad, with Enrique humorously suggesting to Girona coach Michel that managing the game was “worse than giving birth,” alluding to the tension and difficulty involved. His team had to fight hard for the win despite Girona’s resilient performance.

In an unfortunate twist for PSG, striker Marco Asensio had to exit the game shortly before halftime due to injury. Despite this setback, Enrique expressed optimism about his team’s depth. “He felt a twinge. Marco had started the season well. This is professional football, and we have a very good squad,” he stated confidently.

On the other side, Girona’s manager, Michel, handled the situation with grace, praising both his team’s effort and Gazzaniga’s performances leading up to the error. “Now in the dressing room, people are a little bit down, but I told them to be proud of how we played,” Michel noted. “PSG subdued us, and Gazzaniga made some good saves. There were two or three that could have been goals. We must acknowledge that their victory is deserved, but we take pride in our performance.”

Looking ahead, Michel expressed hope for another shot at PSG in the future: “Let’s see if we can get another chance to come to Paris next year.”

As the competition continues, PSG will shift their focus to their next challenge against Reims in Ligue 1 on Saturday. Meanwhile, Girona will travel to face Valencia in their LaLiga fixture. Both teams are looking to build momentum as the season progresses and each matches their respective challenges in domestic and European competitions.

Overall, the encounter showcased not only the tactical intelligence of both managers but also the unpredictability inherent in competitive football. The new format of the Champions League adds layers of strategy and anticipation for teams and fans alike.

Source: Reuters