Paris Saint-Germain secured a 4-2 victory over FC Barcelona this Tuesday at the Parc des Princes, as part of the third matchday of the 2026-2027 Champions League league phase. Following the win, Parisian defender Lucas Hernandez spoke in the mixed zone.
Hernandez: “It’s just 3 points in a league-phase match, and we’ll need to keep going to qualify.”
Was this a massive performance from you?
It was a big match, both individually and collectively. We knew that if we wanted to win, we had to be aggressive. We couldn’t afford to give Barça’s attacking players much space. Everything came together today to win the match. It’s just 3 points in a league-phase match, and we’ll need to keep going to qualify.
Did the doubts surrounding your ability to defend against Yamal serve as motivation? Did it bother you?
Bother me? No (smiles). But it’s true that there’s always a lot of talk. I’m someone who stays in my lane; I know who I am and the kind of player I am. I’ve always been this way—I always give everything on the pitch. That’s just how it goes; there are better moments and tougher ones. But the main thing is giving your all on the pitch. That’s football, after all.
Hernandez: “My children were there.”
Is your goal a fitting reward? Can you tell us about it—you celebrated with a lot of emotion?
It’s mainly because my children were there; it was special. I’m not really used to scoring (smiles). The most important thing is the win, even if scoring that goal with my children in the stands made it a special moment. We have to keep going.
You made things difficult for Yamal; is that important from a mental standpoint?
Of course—for a defender, it’s always important to put in performances like that. Whether it was me, Marquinhos, Pacho, Achraf, or the substitutes, we were very strong defensively, and that’s what made the difference.
Hernandez: “I knew that if I stayed close and played aggressively, things would be more difficult for him.”
After facing City last week and now Barça, do you feel that PSG is unstoppable?
Unstoppable? I’m not sure. But it’s true that we’re showing we’re still hungry, that we always want to win, that this is a competition we enjoy, and that we always give 100% in these matches.
Did you win the mental battle against Yamal?
(Smiling) I don’t know, but he’s a truly great player. I knew that if I stayed close and played aggressively, it would be more difficult for him. But, as I said, the most important thing is that we won this match as a collective.
