Enrique claims PSG ‘deserved more,’ says team was ‘far superior’
BREST, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 11: Luis Enrique, Head Coach of Paris Saint-Germain, speaks to the media in post match press conference after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off first leg match between Stade Brestois 29 and Paris Saint-Germain at Stade de Roudourou on February 11, 2025 in Guingamp, France. (Photo by Franco Arland - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Paris St-Germain boss Luis Enrique ended his post-match interview after their remarkable defeat by Liverpool with a bit of positivity. But the feeling was he was not being entirely serious.
PSG pummelled the Reds for 87 minutes in the Champions League last 16 first leg. Then Liverpool netted the only goal.
Enrique’s side had 27 shots – the second-most on record (from 2003-04) by a side in a Champions League knockout match in which they failed to score and lost.
Unfortunately for Enrique and PSG, they also hold the record for that with 30 shots in their semi-final defeat by Borussia Dortmund last season.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, named the man of the match, had made nine saves.
PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma made none, conceding Liverpool’s only shot on target from Harvey Elliott with three minutes to go.
It ended PSG’s 22-game unbeaten run and 10-game winning streak in all competitions.
Enrique said: “I don’t think it’s too difficult to analyse tonight’s game. We were far superior to Liverpool.
“We created more chances and produced a complete performance against one of Europe’s top sides. Football can be unfair at times.
“Without a doubt [they can go through]. We’ve only played the first leg. We’re a side with nothing to lose. If we can replicate tonight’s performance, we can qualify.”
PSG forwards Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele, especially in the first half, were electric – and managed 13 shots, six on target, between them.
“We deserved more,” said Enrique.
“Their best player was their goalkeeper – he was magnificent today. Today wasn’t a game based on the stats or the details.
“We were far superior. We didn’t allow Liverpool to play. They were better than us for the first five minutes but, apart from that, it was us on top.”
Liverpool boss Arne Slot said: “Had we got a draw, we would still have been the lucky ones. They were much the better team today.
“It’s a good result for us, but we felt the quality of Paris.
“Every underlying stat shows you they were the best side in the Champions League. I wasn’t surprised at how good they were.
“We were not under-par, it was just down to the quality of the opposition. They showed it today. Luis Enrique has created an incredible team here.”
BBC
