Luis Enrique believes Psg is stronger after their Champions League win, attributing it to increased confidence and improved efficiency. Despite injuries to key players, Captain Marquinhos emphasizes the team’s hunger for more titles. Psg faces Atalanta in their Champions League opener.
Luis Enrique, the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) manager, has issued a warning to their rivals, asserting that the team has evolved and improved since their Champions League victory. As they prepare for their Champions League campaign opener, Enrique emphasizes that PSG is not resting on its laurels but has become an even more formidable force.
PSG is set to host Atalanta on Wednesday, marking the beginning of their league-stage journey. The team aims to uphold the tradition of reigning champions making a strong start in the subsequent campaign. Historically, Champions League winners have shown dominance in their opening matches the following season. Only one of the last 30 champions has suffered a defeat in their opening match, with Liverpool's 2-0 loss to Napoli in 2019 being the exception. The other 29 matches resulted in 19 wins and 10 draws for the defending champions.
PSG's previous Champions League victory saw them record the largest margin of victory in a final, crushing Inter 5-0 in May. Since then, they have continued their winning ways, finishing as Club World Cup runners-up and securing four consecutive wins at the start of their Ligue 1 campaign. This impressive form underscores Enrique's confidence in his team's progress.
During Tuesday's pre-match press conference, Luis Enrique addressed concerns about whether his team's performance had declined since their European triumph. He firmly disagreed with this assessment, stating, "Are we playing a little less well? I disagree. It’s always about analyzing what we’re doing." Enrique highlighted that last year's challenges were primarily due to a lack of efficiency in attack, a hurdle they have since overcome. He believes the team now possesses greater confidence compared to the same stage last year in the Champions League.
Last season's Champions League final saw PSG field a young starting lineup, with an average age of 25 years and 96 days. This made them the third-youngest team to start a Champions League final, following Ajax against Milan in 1995 (24 years, 364 days) and Real Madrid against Valencia in 2000 (25 years, 43 days). Enrique believes that building on their first European title will be easier for his young squad. According to the Opta supercomputer, PSG has a 12% chance of retaining the title, a testament to their potential.
"The first title is always difficult because the players don’t think they are capable of winning it. But we showed the way," Enrique explained. He emphasized that the players now have the belief and desire to win again, making the pursuit of subsequent titles more attainable. "Now, all of PSG and the young players want to win because they know they are capable of it. For me, it’s more difficult to win the first than the second or third."
Captain Marquinhos echoed Enrique's sentiments, asserting that the taste of victory has fueled their ambition to avoid defeat. "Once you’ve tasted it, you don’t want to experience defeat. It’s good to have this ambition and that’s what allows us to move forward," Marquinhos stated. He highlighted the youthfulness of the team, noting that players aged 19 and 20 are eager to win more Champions League titles. Even at 31 years old, Marquinhos himself is driven to continue achieving success.
However, PSG's attack will be weakened for the match against Atalanta, with Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue sidelined due to injuries sustained while on international duty with France. There is some positive news, as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia may be available after recovering from a calf issue sustained during Sunday’s 2-0 win over Lens. In that match, Bradley Barcola scored both goals, and Marquinhos anticipates that the 23-year-old will seize the opportunity to shine in the absence of his fellow attackers.
"In this kind of case, there are always players who can take advantage of it. Bradley is never a surprise to us," the centre-back said. He emphasized that Barcola has consistently been decisive for the team, particularly in crucial moments. While Barcola's teammates may attract more attention, Marquinhos believes he has the ability to make a significant impact. "People around him may attract more attention, but he has always been very decisive for us, especially in times when we needed him."
Marquinhos cautioned against placing too much pressure on Barcola, highlighting that other players will also need to step up. He pointed out that key players who are not primarily strikers, such as Fabian Ruiz, Achraf Hakimi, and Nuno Mendes, have a track record of scoring important goals. With injuries affecting the team's attacking options, these players will need to contribute offensively to secure a victory against Atalanta. "But we shouldn’t put all the pressure on Barcola. Important players will not be there tomorrow, but key players who are not strikers have scored important goals, such as Fabian Ruiz, Achraf Hakimi or Nuno Mendes."