Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique acknowledged that facing Barcelona, ​​their opponent in the Champions League quarter-finals, will be "very special" for him, while also considering himself to better represent the Barça spirit than the current Barcelona coach, Xavi Hernández.

"Who better represents the Barça spirit? Without a doubt, me. It's not an opinion, look at the data, in terms of ball possession, goal opportunities, high pressure, titles, trophies. Some may think differently, but undoubtedly, me," he said at the pre-match press conference at the Parc des Princes.

In those concepts, he said, "99% of the time has been in favor of the interests of my teams," which for him means that he better represents the classic playing style at Barcelona.

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The coach, who is a member of Barça, admitted that he does not know "Xavi the coach", although he played with him and had him under his orders at Barça, but he does know the club and many of its players: "But I'm not sure if that's an advantage, nor a disadvantage."

"It will be a special match for me emotionally, but with the experience I have, I believe I am prepared to face these types of matches and get the most out of the team," said Luis Enrique, who recalled that he has also faced Sporting Gijón in the past, the club from his city, and scored goals against them.

"With Barcelona, ​​I have total love for years and I am proud of it. But my profession and the club that has trusted me come first. I am convinced in this project and in giving the club victories and titles," he said.

Luis Enrique stated that PSG arrives "at the best moment of the season, with a great disposition, in a great mental, physical, and footballing moment," and although he did not want to accept the role of favorite, he pointed out that "ambition is boundless."

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He also acknowledged that their rival comes "with a good streak" and with the experience of having won the competition five times, something PSG has not achieved yet: "It will be a complicated match for us, but also stimulating."

The coach rejected the idea of considering a club that has never won the Champions League as a favorite and assured that, in that sense, the Qatari owners have managed to change the dynamic to reduce pressure on the team.

"In the group stage, I saw an excess of responsibility that has now disappeared and a general excitement has appeared from everyone, fans, club, and players, and an ambition," he said.

"The club's policy has changed this season, some legends have left, the line is different. And that's why I'm in charge, because our ideas matched. But I say it's not positive to put pressure on a team that has won the Champions League zero times. That doesn't mean we can't win it," he indicated.

Convinced that Barcelona will cause them problems, Luis Enrique assured that they rely on the pressure from the crowd to help them in difficult moments.

The coach did not want to reveal how he will solve the absence of right-back Achraf Hakimi due to suspension but assured that "it will be an opportunity to see another player in such an important match and the group's ability to solve a problem."