PSG's Bold Barcelona Shocker: Enrique Praises Squad Spirit as Lille Looms

Key takeaways from the Barca win

Spanish coach Luis Enrique expressed immense happiness and pride in his Paris Saint-Germain players after their valuable 2-1 victory at Barcelona in the Champions League, underscoring that the win demonstrates the team’s character and mental fortitude when facing one of the world’s giants.

In remarks aired on the club’s official channel, PSG TV, Enrique stated, “We are very proud to have beaten one of the best teams in the world away from home. Our players, staff, and supporters showed we possess the mindset to win and the spirit to compete. The victory comes not only from performance on the field but from the collective spirit of the entire squad.”

He added in the press conference ahead of Sunday’s Ligue 1 clash with Lille: “We’ve quickly returned to domestic duties. We face a difficult test against a strong, organized Lille, one of the league’s best. We must maintain our high level and enter the game with the same focus we showed in the Champions League.”

Philosophy, unity, and set-pieces

Enrique stressed that his happiness in coaching PSG is beyond words and that he feels privileged to work with a big club and talented players. “Coaching here gives me a special sense of responsibility and pride,” he said, highlighting the importance of teamwork and shared goals.

Asked about the team’s success from set-pieces this season, he smiled and said, “I won’t reveal everything—that’s part of our tactical secret. But we’ve clearly improved in dead-ball situations, especially in Europe, and we’ll keep working to develop this facet further.”

The Spaniard also praised the young players promoted to cover injuries, noting their fighting spirit has strengthened the team. “We are a single block. The youngsters show courage and the right mentality. In the Barca match, I was more tense than Quentin Ngant, but he surprised me with his level and mindset.”

Upcoming Lille challenge and squad decisions

Regarding the goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, recently transferred from Lille to PSG, Enrique said the match would be special for him against his former club, but stressed: “We signed him to rely on him as a key future goalkeeper, and facing Lille is not a test of his limits; he has the qualities to earn our trust.”

On European competitions and the level of French clubs, Enrique noted that media questions about the league’s relative strength are not his focus. He enjoys the unique atmosphere of Lille and Lens’s stadiums, which provide a superb experience for players and fans alike, regardless of the opponent’s identity.

He also highlighted the Portuguese midfielder Vitinha, praising him as one of the world’s best midfielders who can still improve. “My job is to help every player develop,” he said, underscoring ongoing support for the squad’s growth.

Injuries, national-team calls, and PSG’s historic pedigree

When asked about calls to injured players for national teams, Enrique responded that player safety comes first. “If a player reports muscle pain, we protect him from unnecessary fatigue,” he explained, drawing on his experience coaching Spain’s national team and understanding national-team pressures.

He stressed that the team’s mental resilience allows it to compete at a high level in every moment, maintaining their style from first to last whistle.

Reflecting on PSG’s history, Enrique recapped the club’s rise as France’s football powerhouse since the 2011 Qatar ownership, claiming a transformation in both domestic and European achievement. The club’s trophy cabinet includes 13 Ligue 1 titles, 16 Coupe de France trophies, 9 Coupe de la Ligue crowns, and 13 French Super Cups. In Europe, PSG has 4 major honours, including the 1996 Cup Winners’ Cup, the 2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup, and the 2025 UEFA Champions League and 2025 UEFA Super Cup. The club also finished as runners-up in the 2020 Champions League and earned a silver in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, cementing its status among Europe’s elite.

The win over Barca adds another chapter to PSG’s storied journey, underscoring the club’s ability to compete with Europe’s powerhouse teams and build momentum heading into domestic duties and further continental campaigns.