Paris Saint-Germain secured a 6-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava this Wednesday at the Parc des Princes in the opening round of the 2026-2027 Champions League league phase. Following the win, PSG manager Luis Enrique spoke at the post-match press conference.
Luis Enrique: “Today, the connection between the players, the team, and the fans was sensational.”
Do you think the Champions League helps bring out the real PSG?
“In my opinion, playing in this competition is always special, especially at the Parc des Princes in front of the fans. We saw the tifo they created to support the team. Today, the connection between the players, the team, and the fans was sensational.”
What is your take on Ousmane Dembélé’s performance tonight?
“He is the Ousmane we know and have seen over the last three years. When you see his ability to create and press, and the level he brings to help the team, it’s a real pleasure. I’m very happy for him. He played a great match. He didn’t need to play any more minutes than he did. It was wonderful to see a player of that caliber.”
Luis Enrique: “We were very clinical, and that’s crucial for starting off this competition.”
Ferran Torres shone in the role of an out-and-out goalscorer; is that what you expected from him?
“No one expects that kind of performance. In some matches, he might miss chances. But today, I think the defensive tempo we maintained and our subsequent counter-pressing allowed us to create numerous opportunities. Today, we were very clinical, and that’s crucial for starting off this competition.”
After three winless matches, was this victory important for the team’s collective confidence?
“Yes, absolutely.” “Confidence isn’t easy to come by. It’s always tough when you don’t get the right result. People are concerned after three winless games, even though the performances were actually acceptable. That’s football for you—people worry after just three matches. But you have to accept that level of expectation. We are always trying to improve.”
Luis Enrique: “I’m particularly pleased with what I’ve seen every time he’s played.”
A word on Akliouche’s performance?
“He’s a player who, in our eyes, had all the qualities needed to play for PSG. I think he’s one of the players who adapts most quickly to what we want. He has the ability to both attack and defend, and he makes plenty of runs in behind the defense. I’m particularly pleased with what I’ve seen every time he’s played.”
In the pre-match press conference, you described the start of the season as a disaster in terms of results; can we say PSG has woken up tonight?
“When I said that, I was referring only to the results—it had nothing to do with what we actually deserved. I’m also very happy with what I’ve seen in training sessions. Today, we improved a great deal in terms of both our play with and without the ball.”
