Ahead of the highly anticipated Champions League showdown between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Manchester City on Wednesday, Luis Enrique has expressed his admiration for Pep Guardiola, whom he describes as the architect of the “perfect model” of attacking soccer. The stakes are high for both teams, as a defeat could jeopardize their chances of advancing in the tournament’s new format.
Enrique emphasized the significance of the match, not only for the teams involved but also for the personal connection he shares with Guardiola. “It’s a special game. Not just for the two teams but because I will come across a friend with whom I shared many great moments,” Enrique stated through a translator. He highlighted their shared philosophy of football, which revolves around maintaining possession and pressing the opposition. “We can fine-tune our game, but we have a similar way of seeing things,” he added.
The two coaches share a deep-rooted history, having played together at Barcelona from 1996 to 2001. Guardiola rose to prominence during his tenure at the club, winning the Champions League and establishing a captivating style of play that captivated Europe. Enrique, who also enjoyed success at Barcelona, noted, “If anything can define both Pep and I as coaches, it is that we like to attack.” However, both teams find themselves in a precarious position in the Champions League, with PSG currently sitting 25th out of 36 teams and City just one point ahead in 22nd place. “Everyone has to be ready,” Enrique said, acknowledging the tactical challenges posed by City while emphasizing the need for his team to capitalize on possession to secure a vital victory.
As PSG grapples with the absence of Kylian Mbappé, who has moved to Real Madrid, the pressure is on to find alternative scoring solutions. Enrique remarked, “We obviously had a player of reference who scored an immense amount of goals,” indicating the need for a collective effort to fill the void. Winger Ousmane Dembélé, who has recently recovered from illness, emerges as a key figure, having scored 11 goals this season. “I’m having a good spell,” Dembélé said, expressing confidence as PSG prepares for this crucial encounter against a resurgent Manchester City, which has scored 22 goals in its last five matches. The outcome of this match could have significant implications for both teams’ aspirations in this year’s Champions League.
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