Paris Saint-Germain claimed a 1-2 win over FC Barcelona (Barça/PSG video highlights) this Wednesday at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in the second round of the 2025-2026 Champions League group stage. After the victory, PSG coach Luis Enrique spoke to CBS Sports Golazo. He notably had high praise for Nuno Mendes (23-year-old left-back) and Achraf Hakimi (26-year-old right-back).
Luis Enrique: “We’re a team, we play with the same identity”
How do you approach a match with so many changes?
“As always! We’re a team, we play with the same identity. Or at least we try to, because against Barcelona it was difficult—they’re a great side. They play like us, and in the first half we really suffered, we struggled. But we were able to turn the game around and we’re happy with the result.”
Luis Enrique: “The best in the world”
Mendes and Hakimi—the best full-backs in the world? Were they key in this match?
“I have to say that when two teams press like PSG and Barcelona, if you have full-backs on each side like we do—the best in the world—it’s a real pleasure to watch them play. Nuno Mendes picked up a yellow card, so we had to be careful when defending against Yamal, but he was excellent.”
