Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool’s 25-year-old midfielder, paid a glowing tribute to Paris Saint-Germain and Luis Enrique in an interview with France Football. Having experienced the Reds’ two European eliminations at the hands of the Parisian club, the Hungarian international describes an impressive team led by a true “magician.”
Szoboszlai: “This year, they shut us down”
“My dreams? Honestly, as a child, I always dreamed of winning the Champions League. (…) Unfortunately, we ran into PSG twice in the Champions League. Two seasons ago, we managed to put them on the ropes (1-0, 0-1, losing 1-4 on penalties in the 2025 Round of 16), but this year, they shut us down completely (0-2, 0-2 in the quarter-finals).”
Szoboszlai’s assessment reflects the dramatic evolution of Paris Saint-Germain on the European stage. Liverpool had managed to seriously rattle Paris during their first encounter, only to be thoroughly outclassed by Parisian dominance the following season.
This contrast highlights the collective progress achieved under Luis Enrique: PSG didn’t just win; they made one of England’s top clubs feel as though they could never truly get a foothold in the tie.
Szoboszlai: “He has built a team that is always moving in a coordinated way”
“Luis Enrique is a magician. He has built a team that is always moving in a coordinated way—with a certain freedom of movement—and is incredibly strong at retaining possession, making runs, and passing. But I am convinced we can compete, and I’m hopeful that with the new coach, Andoni Iraola, we’ll move in the right direction. And then, of course, I dream of playing in the World Cup one day.” »
The tribute is all the more striking given that Szoboszlai does not merely praise the individual talents within the Paris squad. The Liverpool midfielder highlights the tactical setup devised by Luis Enrique, which successfully blends coordinated movement with attacking freedom without compromising the team’s balance.
Hearing an opponent facing PSG use the word “magician” illustrates the stature the Spanish manager has achieved. Paris now impresses as much with its results as with an instantly recognizable style of play.
