Paris Saint-Germain won 2-7 against Bayer Leverkusen this Tuesday at the BayArena as part of Matchday 3 of the 2025-2026 Champions League. After this victory, Parisian coach Luis Enrique spoke at a press conference.
Enrique: “This isn’t the time to talk about a single player. But he’s incredible.”
What are your thoughts on Vitinha’s performance tonight?
“I have to say it’s always complicated playing away. Leverkusen is a tough team and difficult to play against. But we deserved this victory. What can I tell you about Vitinha? This isn’t the time to talk about a single player. But he’s incredible. He controls the game and the ball at the most important moments. He controls everything we have to do. He’s an incredible player.” Many criticized me when I put him in the number 6 position.
But he has so much quality that he can play in any position. But today, we must above all talk about our DNA, the way we play, how we always try to attack, like at the Parc des Princes. We must continue to play in this way, which is very attractive to our fans. We’re happy with these three wins, but we must continue in this difficult group.”
Enrique: “The first trophy is the hardest to win.”
Do you aim to achieve another double this season?
“It’s difficult to see a team that wants to win everything. We did it last year, and we’ll try to do it again. It will be complicated. But we have the confidence we gained last year. Our goal is real and possible. It will be difficult because there are four or five teams at the same level as us. But we are demanding and we want to continue.”
Did the victory last May ease the pressure?
“It’s THE positive thing to win the first time. Before winning, you don’t know you can do it. Today, all PSG players, even those in the academy, know they can win with PSG. The first trophy is the hardest to win. We’re happy because we’re always looking to improve this mentality. It’s nice to see a team having so much fun; it’s a source of pride to see them play like that.”
Enrique: “You only think about what you have to do, like in every match.”
How did you analyze the match after Zabarnyi’s sending off and Leverkusen’s equalizer?
“These are difficult moments in matches. We showed last season and the one before that we can overcome any situation. When you have the idea of always playing the same way, it’s easier. You only think about what you have to do, like in every match.” When you play 10 against 10 and they come back to 1-1, that was the key to the match because we scored three goals in the last ten minutes of the first half.”
Enrique: “This start to the season has been strange and difficult.”
Is the serenity you exude the biggest change for PSG?
“It’s difficult to answer that. The first phase of the Champions League was tough last year. And in the end, it was an incredible story. This year, the confidence is there, we know our level, we know we can beat anyone. But this start to the season has been strange and difficult, but we overcame it, we won our first three European matches, and we deserve to be here. We have to keep going. We’re happy and proud of this team.”
