Paris Saint-Germain lost 2-1 to Sporting CP this Tuesday at the Estádio José Alvalade in Matchday 7 of the 2025-2026 Champions League. After the defeat, PSG coach Luis Enrique spoke at a press conference.
Enrique: “With this character, we’re ready everywhere, in every stadium.”
How do you explain this defeat?
“It’s very easy to explain. It’s football. It was our best away game this season. We were better than our opponents. We clearly deserved to win. It’s disappointing, very unfair. It’s clear and true that you win a match when you score goals.
I’m very proud of my players and my team. This is the character we need to go far in the competition. I’m confident for the future.” With this character, we’re ready anywhere, in any stadium.
Enrique: “You like criticism, but I’m very proud of my players.”
Did Zabarnyi’s introduction destabilize the defense?
“We made the last substitution because Fabian Ruiz was injured. If there are problems, they’re the coach’s problems. Don’t worry. That’s what I’m here for. There isn’t just one team on the pitch. Football is a shitty sport! It’s an unfair sport. You have to accept it.
It’s happened to me often in my career. Like in Bilbao (0-0) where we were the better team, or against PFC last week. It’s frustrating. You like criticism, but I’m very proud of my players. It’s the best way to go far in the competition.”
Could this defeat have a mental impact on the players?
“We’re used to it. I couldn’t be prouder.” “We controlled the whole match. But we lost, it’s unbelievable!”
Enrique: “I’m very proud of our team’s character.”
How do you regain confidence after this defeat?
“We had two goals disallowed. We were aggressive in defense, we controlled the match, we dominated. Our frustration in the last five minutes led us to make mistakes. If we have to play in the playoffs, we’re ready, clearly. Everyone knows what kind of team we are. We’re ready to show it.”
Should you have tried your luck from distance more often?
“We talked about it before the match. We took shots. Not many, but enough to win. The gaps against a deep-lying defense aren’t in the center but in the attacks down the wings. I’ll say it again: I’m very proud of our team’s character. That’s football. It’s a very, very unfair result.”
