PSG: “I am convinced that we can eliminate Barcelona”, insists Luis Enrique

D-day is approaching. PSG will host Barcelona on Wednesday (9 p.m.), at the Parc des Princes, in the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League. A necessarily special poster for the Spanish coach of the capital club, Luis Enrique, former player and coach of Barça. “For me, it’s difficult, but at the same time it’s stimulating,” he said in comments relayed by the PSG media this Monday. I want to prove to them and to myself, as a professional, that I am at the highest level. This means we have to try to beat Barça. To achieve this, we will have to give the best of ourselves. It's a top club and it's a good team collectively. It will be difficult, but we are in a very good moment and I am convinced that we can eliminate Barcelona.

Remember that the Parisians, held to a draw by Clermont (1-1) on Saturday, remain in 27 matches without defeat, in all competitions, the club's longest series over a season since the 1993-94 campaign. The Barcelonans have avoided defeat in their last 11 matches. “We will be at a very high level, that’s for sure,” promises the 53-year-old technician.

Another thing is sure in his mind: “Our goal is to win all the titles and we are very excited about playing in the Champions League. There is no pressure in C1. It's quite the opposite. Barcelona have won five and we have won zero. There’s no way they’re more excited than us, no way! No pressure but the ambition is total,” he swears, assuring that “the match will be won by the players, the teams, not the coaches.” He continued: “The opponents are aware that if you press us high and leave spaces, we can create problems for them. If you stay behind, we have arguments to hurt you. We defend and press very aggressively.” Luis Enrique wore Barcelona colors as a player between 1996 and 2004, before coaching the Blaugrana for three seasons (2014-17).