Barça-PSG: “Even without the expulsion, we would have won the match”, swears Luis Enrique

Special envoy to Barcelona

The match and qualification: “It was hard to face Barça on an emotional level for me... I tried to control my emotions as much as possible. I hope I don't have to play against Barça again... I'm really happy, we were brilliant at the start but Barça scored in their first situation. We didn't deserve to be behind at that moment, 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 was at a very high level. 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. I believe the result is fair.”

His joy: “I told you, but I don't have a crystal ball, but I told you at the 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. The result was not fair. We knew that things would happen, that there would be goals on the return leg, we had to believe in it. The players believed it. It's happiness. I would have liked to play the semi-finals against Atlético to stay in Spain. But we know the level at Dortmund, who finished first in our group. I dedicate this victory to the 3,000 Parisian supporters who came to Barcelona.”

Kylian Mbappé: “We must highlight Kylian Mbappé’s performance. He was the undisputed leader of the team. You have to see the pressure that the attackers put in this match. Hat ! The leader sets the example and when Kylian transmits that, we are much better.”

Managing emotions, mentality and confidence: “Since the start of the season, our supporters have pushed us even when there was no result, we see a team that is working. The fans see that we play like a team. We can play well or badly, but we will always try to win. 3000 supporters came despite the first leg defeat. It's positive. We have to take advantage of these semi-finals. Thanks to the support of our supporters and the performance of the team, we are still alive in all competitions and we can win everything.”

Borussia Dortmund: “We came out of the group of death, with Dortmund, Newcastle and Milan, the most difficult group in the competition. Dortmund and we are in the last four. It will be a semi-final duel. Another duel at a very high level. Dortmund are playing very good football, it will be tough, but we have time to prepare for these matches. We will take advantage of this qualification. We have matches in Ligue 1. We want to give this pleasure to the supporters.

Remontada 2017 or 2024: “When you are in football as a player or coach, the greatest satisfaction is transmitting happiness to people through your work, it is incomparable, that is what I try to transmit to the players. I wouldn't be stupid, I wouldn't choose one. They were both important. I hope this one will be useful to the club, the first not having been used to win the C1. I hope we make it to the final.”

PSG without a match in Ligue 1 between the first leg and the return leg, criticism from certain other clubs: “I understand all points of view. After playing the first leg, having six days to prepare for the second leg, especially mentally, is good. We were able to work on tactics and boost the morale of the players. Now we are going to play three matches in a week. We will continue to be competitive, regardless of when we win the championship. Even when we win L1, we will remain competitive. Whether we win or not will depend on other factors, not because we won’t be competitive.”

Ronald Araujo's red card: “I never talk about the referees in the 12 years I have been on the benches. I saw the action live, I haven't rewatched the footage. I try to control what I can control. Playing against Barça was super difficult, I hope I don't have to do it again... A sending off changes a match, but I stay true to my way of doing things. I want my players to understand what it means to wear the PSG jersey.

FC Barcelona: “We met FC Barcelona in their best period of the season, unlike the double confrontation against Real Sociedad in the previous round, we were lucky because they were not in a good dynamic. It was very hard. On the way out, they played long balls towards Robert Lewandowski. They did a bit of the same thing on the way back. Even without the sending off, we would have won the match too, even if I can't prove it. 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.