Coach Enrique sends a strong message to Barca and Chelsea

PSG earned their spot in the Champions League round of 16 following a draw against Monaco, with Coach Luis Enrique stating that the French club is ready for any team they might face in the draw.

Paris Saint-Germain continues their quest to defend their Champions League title after overcoming AS Monaco with a 5-4 aggregate score in the two-legged playoff. The 2-2 draw in the second leg was enough for the French side to make their 14th consecutive appearance in the round of 16, despite facing difficult moments against an opponent reduced to 10 men on the field.

Monaco started the match determined to overturn the situation and created several dangerous chances in the first half. Maghnes Akliouche and Mamadou Coulibaly repeatedly troubled PSG’s defense before Akliouche finally opened the scoring following a left-wing combination. PSG struggled to control the tempo and managed only a few notable opportunities, including Bradley Barcola’s shot that hit the crossbar.

The turning point came when Coulibaly received a second yellow card for a foul on Achraf Hakimi, leaving Monaco with 10 players. PSG quickly took advantage of the numerical superiority as Marquinhos equalized before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia put them ahead. Although Jordan Teze scored late to keep Monaco’s hopes alive, the Ligue 1 side didn’t have enough time to change the outcome.

After the match, Coach Luis Enrique emphasized the importance of the qualification ticket but admitted the team underwent a major challenge. He said: “We deserved to advance, but it was a tough match, the result was really complicated, and the game was very challenging. There were moments when we lost accuracy and it was difficult to regain the rhythm.”

The Spanish coach also noted that the difficult group stage journey helped PSG adapt to high-pressure situations. He affirmed: “If any team had to face the toughest Champions League group, it was us. We are used to facing any opponent.” According to Luis Enrique, those experiences give PSG confidence going into the knockout phase.

Before the round of 16 draw, PSG could meet Barcelona or Chelsea — two clubs with rich European traditions. Enrique expressed caution, saying: “No opponent is easy. It’s not up to me, so I will adapt to whatever the result is. Both are incredible teams.”

Still, he remains confident in PSG’s ability to compete for the rest of the season.“Chelsea or Barca are tough, but if any team is ready, it’s PSG… We are prepared to face any club, in any competition,” Enrique asserted, while emphasizing that the whole squad maintains a winning mentality for the crucial three months ahead.