Luis Enrique downplays pressure, eyes Newcastle Champions League tie | OneFootball

PSG returns to the field this Wednesday to face Newcastle United in Paris, for the final round of the group stage of the Champions League.

Currently, the teams occupy the sixth and seventh positions in the table, within the direct qualification zone for the round of 16. With four more goals scored, the French club is ahead. However, Paris coach Luis Enrique does not see the match as decisive.

“If we win, we could finish sixth, but I would sign right now for a defeat or a draw, as long as we are among the top four at the end of the competition. If someone tells me now that we will finish 15th, but then win the Champions League, I’ll take it. The real tournament starts later, in the knockout rounds, and then we are an incredible team and we will prove it again,” commented the Spaniard.”

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Recent record between PSG and Newcastle

In the 2023/24 season, the clubs met in the Champions League. On that occasion, the English club won 4-1. That result is no longer on the coach’s mind.

“I’ve completely forgotten about that defeat. I only remember the result. That was two years ago. Many players have arrived, many have left. Now we play much better,” he said.

Important returns for the match

In the defeat against Sporting in the last round, PSG had important absences such as midfielder João Neves, who was injured, and Hakimi, the Moroccan full-back who was playing for his national team in the Africa Cup of Nations. For Wednesday, Luis Enrique celebrated having the entire squad available.

“The Champions League is the best medicine, because everyone recovers and wants to play. I have doubts about tomorrow’s team and I’m very happy about that, because all the players are available, I have choices in many positions,” he said.

“Hakimi is back, he’s already trained three times with us, but we have to assess his physical and mental condition, because every player has their own specifics. He’s in excellent shape and tomorrow we’ll decide if he’ll start,” he added.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.