Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique suggested that he thought his side were a “complete team” following their impressive performance and 4-2 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Going into the match, both teams were under threat of failing to qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament and, despite City going 2-0 ahead, the hosts came roaring back to claim three points.
The result leaves PSG inside the play-off places with a two-point buffer to City, who occupy the first elimination spot and need to beat Club Brugge at home next Wednesday to make it through.
“I think we are a complete team,” Luis Enrique said. “We scored four goals, hit the woodwork twice and had one goal disallowed. All this against such a good team.
“I believe the most important goal was Barcola’s first breakthrough. It opens up the game and changes the character of the confrontation, that’s what made this evening possible.
“The more competition we have, the happier I am. It means no player can consider their position unassailable. We need players who never give up, like Ramos and Hernandez, who came out tonight.
“I don’t think this is the first time it has happened – it was the same against Lens and Monaco. My team has many strengths. This match will strengthen my players, as they are young and lack extensive experience in such games. This team will never give up, even if they are losing by two goals.
“In terms of intensity, the game against Bayern was also at that level. The only difference today is the result, and that’s what stays in people’s memory. That’s what’s important. When we lose the ball, we don’t stop pressing.
“I am proud of this evening, against such a team, against such a coach, against such good players. It was a fantastic performance today.
“I must also acknowledge that we have the best fans in the world. They never stop supporting us. At home and away. Today we can dedicate this victory to them. It’s a real statement, this comeback victory,”
PSG 4-2 Man City
Manchester City threw away a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 in Paris, leaving them on the brink of league phase elimination.
Look back at the game with the best facts and Opta data, here: https://t.co/Ex5EL5C7fF pic.twitter.com/XJyKPSm8Dm
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) January 22, 2025
Manchester City spent just six minutes of the match in the lead and just three minutes two goals ahead. Once Ousmane Dembele had cut PSG’s deficit to one, the home side were relentless and thoroughly deserved to win the match.
In terms of a gameplan, Luis Enrique confirmed that he had told his players to be aggressive in possession.
“Take the ball to one of the best teams in the world was our objective and we achieved it,” Luis Enrique told reporters.
“That was our idea, to be dangerous, to attack the spaces when they opened up and I think we got what we wanted.
“If we can do that at Manchester City, we can do it against a lot of teams.”
