Luis Enrique, who guided PSG to their maiden Champions League crown last season, has declared that the toughest hurdle has already been overcome. Speaking to the press ahead of their Champions League opener against Atalanta, the Spanish coach insisted that the belief within his squad is now stronger than ever after the long-awaited breakthrough.
“The first title is always difficult because the players don’t think they’re capable of winning it. But we showed the way,” said the Spanish coach. “Now, the whole of PSG and the young players want to win because they know they’re capable. For me, it’s harder to win the first than the second or third.”
The Spaniard also set clear ambitions: “After winning European titles, our goal, along with the club, the city and our fans, is to make history again and win a second consecutive Champions League. We have to be ambitious.”
The Parisians long pursuit of the Champions League ended last season in emphatic fashion, as they brushed aside Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal before thrashing Inter 5-0 in the Champions League final. The win silenced critics who questioned whether PSG could finally translate domestic dominance into European silverware.
Despite losing Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid on a free transfer last summer, stars like Dembele, Donnarumma, Hakimi and Vitinha stepped up to deliver the club’s most successful season ever. Enrique’s squad now boast the confidence and pedigree to mount another serious tilt at Europe’s biggest prize.
The European champions open their Champions League defence this week against Atalanta before a Ligue 1 clash with Marseille at the weekend. However, PSG will be without French duo Dembele and Desire Dou, who both picked up injuries during the recent international break.
