Enrique Urges PSG to Stay Grounded After Hard-Fought Victory Over Arsenal
Paris Saint-Germain’s coach, Luis Enrique, expressed his satisfaction with his team’s resilience and maturity after their 1-0 win against Arsenal in Tuesday’s first leg of the Champions League semi-final. However, he was careful to remind everyone that the task isn’t finished yet as they head into the second leg in Paris.
After the match at the Emirates Stadium, Enrique sat down for an interview with Canal Plus and couldn’t help but commend his players for their strong mindset. “We showed the same mentality that we bring to every game,” he said with enthusiasm. “As a coach, it’s truly a joy to see this kind of attitude from the team.”
The match’s only goal came in the fourth minute from Ousmane Dembélé, who completed a well-coordinated team move by finishing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s cross with a sharp first-time shot. PSG had several opportunities to extend their lead, including a late shot from substitute Gonçalo Ramos that hit the crossbar. Arsenal also made a strong attempt when Mikel Merino’s header found the back of the net, but it was ruled offside early in the second half.
Ousmane Dembélé’s goal celebration
Even though PSG is in a solid position now and only needs a draw at home next Wednesday to secure a place in the final, Enrique emphasized the need to avoid complacency. “We won’t get carried away. The players know how challenging these matches can be. We must stay calm, draw energy from our home crowd, and stick to our game plan,” he stated. This victory brings PSG closer to their second Champions League final, following last year’s semi-final exit against Borussia Dortmund.
Enrique, who guided Barcelona to Champions League success in 2015, underlined the importance of focus in crucial matches like this one. Dembélé, who missed the earlier group-stage loss to Arsenal due to disciplinary reasons, is making a significant impact again. His goal in London was his 33rd of the season, with 28 coming since mid-December. However, he was substituted in the second half, leaving his availability for the next match uncertain.
“I’m not certain if Ousmane will be ready to play, but it would be fantastic if he could. If he can’t, we still have a solid squad,” Enrique expressed, highlighting the depth of his team. Midfielder Vitinha shared his thoughts, underscoring the team’s unity and determination. “It was an impressive team performance. We showed how much we want to reach the final.”
