On Wednesday, in the first leg of their 2025-2026 Champions League quarter-final (second leg on April 14), Paris Saint-Germain will face Liverpool at the Parc des Princes (kick-off at 9 pm, CET). On the eve of this match, PSG coach Luis Enrique answered several questions at a press conference.
Luis Enrique: “There are no favorites.”
What does it feel like to be the favorite against Liverpool?
It doesn’t matter who the favorite is, or who you say is the favorite. In this competition, with teams like these, there can’t be a favorite. I don’t believe we’re the favorites. Last year, everyone said it was Liverpool, and PSG qualified. There are no favorites.
Did you have to overcome other difficulties to reach the quarterfinals this season?
It’s the coach’s job to find solutions. Every solution is different. What I want is the same team identity, to play beautiful football, and to enjoy the moment.
Luis Enrique: “He’s still lacking a bit of confidence.”
Can Barcola be in the squad tomorrow?
If he’s still recovering from an injury, he won’t play tomorrow. Yesterday, he partially trained. Today, he had the whole session, but he’s still lacking a bit of confidence. We want the best conditions for the player. It’s up to him to say when he’s ready.
Luis Enrique: “We play attacking football, we always want to win, regardless of the opponent.”
Is last year’s first leg against Liverpool your best memory of the game?
It was a very, very high-level performance. It’s incredible, and it defines football that we lost that match. But I think we’ve played other matches at that level. I’d sign up to play at that level again tomorrow. We play attacking football, we always want to win, regardless of the opponent. We also want to enjoy playing at the Parc des Princes; the atmosphere is incredible. It’s very special for us to play at home.
Ruiz doesn’t feel ready to return? The situation is unclear.
That’s how it is. Whenever a player is injured, we have to wait until the player feels ready. There’s no problem. We want to get the players back as soon as possible. It’s normal to start with some pain, but we want to give the players confidence. Fabian hasn’t trained with the group yet. He’s improved a lot. We’re very happy; it seems like he’s on the right track. But there’s still a little bit to go.
Luis Enrique: “They are very important in our quest to win what we want.”
Gonçalo Ramos scored his 7th goal as a substitute. How do you keep him so involved? Is it important to have him?
It’s very easy to say, very difficult to do. That’s why if you’re thinking of a team that wants to win everything, you need players like Ramos or Lee Kang-In, ready to help the team at any moment. It’s very difficult to find, we’re very happy to have them. They are very important in our quest to win what we want.
You didn’t use Ekitike much when he was here. Are you surprised by his success at Liverpool?
I don’t usually talk about players who aren’t at PSG. He was very good in Germany and now at Liverpool, he’s an international. He’s improved a lot. That’s normal. He was very young here and he’s improved a lot. It’s not the time to talk about Liverpool players.
Luis Enrique: “We’re very happy because he’s showing his level in training and in matches.”
How did you get Hakimi back after the AFCON?
He had a very difficult period with the injury; he did everything he could to play in the AFCON. After that, it’s impossible to immediately get back to his previous level. Right now, we’re very happy because he’s showing his level in training and in matches. That’s very important for the team. We’re very happy to have him back.
Luis Enrique: “We know how difficult it will be; they’re a very good team.”
What kind of match can we expect? What will be the key?
I don’t know! I think it could be a match like last year; it’s another first leg at home. But things can change quickly, depending on the result and other factors. We’ll try to have more of the ball. But we know how difficult it will be; they’re a very good team with a lot of quality players and a very good coach. It will be very complicated. We’re used to playing against English teams.
You said that Liverpool/PSG is a European classic, why is it so special?
Because there are only eight teams in the quarterfinals, and we already faced each other last year. When you’re used to coming here, it’s special. We have to show as a team; it’s great to be here against Liverpool. We want to qualify for the semifinals. We know how difficult it will be, but we’re very motivated.
Luis Enrique: “That’s our way of doing things.”
PSG is no longer afraid in the Champions League, what have you done?
Nothing! It’s easy to say and very difficult to do. That’s what I said in my first few days, that we would try to play attractive, attacking football every day, with a very aggressive defense. That’s what we’ve done. When you have a way of playing, with exceptional players, it’s easy for me to say and difficult for the players.
That’s our way of playing. After that, we can win or lose. That’s our way of doing things. And when you have these fans supporting the team like that, it’s easier. Enjoying playing at the Parc des Princes will be key.
Luis Enrique: “We’re excited to play this match.”
You’ve had many young players since Ekitike, what has changed?
Nothing. Being young doesn’t mean you can play; you need the qualities, the attitude, the intensity. I love coaching young players, but you have to show a lot of talent, and it’s important to give them confidence. You have to give them credit; that’s a key we use. We’ve improved a lot.
Liverpool can no longer compete for the title; there’s a feeling of abandonment, according to Van Dijk. What do you think?
It’s complicated to talk about Liverpool; Arne Slot does it very well. They’re still the same teams as last year, but also a little different. Everyone wants to know who the favorite is, but that doesn’t matter in a match like this. There are two good teams. We’re excited to play this match.
