Paris Saint Germain are one of the top teams in European football that constantly win the French league, compete in the Champions League international tournament, and poach big-name players like Messi and Neymar. So no one had it in their tarot cards that the PSG boss was going to say that they could not take the coveted CL game as seriously as in the past.
The Champions League is one of the most prestigious competitions in the entire world. Every country has its own domestic league, like the Premier League in England and La Liga in Spain, but the Champions League is a time for the winners in each country to face off against one another to see which club is the best in the world.
The comments made by the PSG boss surprised some, giving fans an indication they may not take the game as seriously as they should. Can they still win? Who knows at this point?
PSG Boss Stuns Fans with Incredulous Statement
The story of how the #UCL action unfolded in #BVBPSG ⤵️
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) May 1, 2024
The Paris Saint Germain manager, Luis Enrique, said that his squad was simply in the Champions League ‘to enjoy it.’ This puzzled die-hard fans who know PSG as a powerhouse who is always up to compete for trophies and win games with superstars like Kylian Mbappe.
PSG play a tough Borussia Dortmund side in a midweek game semi-final, no doubt which puts pressure on both teams in their respective leagues to manage player welfare, game minutes, and tactics. The Dortmund coach, on the other hand, has said that his team is there ‘to win the Champions League’, especially with players like Jadon Sancho.
Conversely, Enrique is using a different approach than the Dortmund coach, Edin Terzic.
‘What’s great about being here is that we can enjoy a really special game…we have a chance to make our fans really happy by reaching the final…we’ll try to enjoy that. We will try to win both legs…it will be a spectacle for everyone who loves football.’
Everyone understands that he is happy to be in the position that he is and wants to enjoy the moment, but the lack of drive and determination to win the game at all costs is a bit unnerving for PSG fans who are used to securing trophies and winning finals.
However, PSG’s latest result is promising for the fans and players who back PSG to win the entire Champions League. PSG beat Dortmund 2-0 at the latter’s home ground to begin their Champions League run with a win. Despite the strong start, the French giants were held to a 1-1 draw in the second leg, causing some concern among the camp.
But, even with the most recent surprise draw in the second leg against the Bundesliga team, the French squad will be overjoyed after winning their tenth league title and being crowned Ligue 1 champions of France. This will no doubt give Enrique and his squad the much-needed boost to propel themselves past the German outfit.
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PSG in Champions League Games
In the past, PSG has been a real contender during all Champions League matches.
PSG has played in 11 matches in the Champions League, winning five games, drawing two, and losing four matches. They have scored an average of 1.73 goals per match, amassing 19 goals in every game played. They have only conceded 14 goals in eleven matches, bringing the total to 1.28 GA per match.
Furthermore, they tend to keep the ball longer than their opponents, earning almost 60% possession in all games played. They have a whopping 89.95% passing accuracy, which is seen in their long strings of passing that make their way to the final third and end in spectacular goals.
Plus, they recover almost 41 balls per match to regain possession and start the attack once more. Their midfielders and defenders win 4.82 tackles per match to get the ball back and distribute it to the front line. Their attackers have 183 total attempts, with 60 attempts on target and 49 blocked.
As you can see, PSG are real threats in the Champions League. We hope that Enrique sees that and takes their next leg vs. Dortmund seriously.
About the Author
Emma is an athlete and sports fan who currently plays professional soccer. Growing up, she reached a high level in track and field, distance running, and soccer on both club and university teams.
