Luis Enrique: "Mbappé Has Been the Undisputed Leader"
The PSG coach praised Mbappé's performance after eliminating Barcelona in the Champions League, as well as the entire team.
PSG coach Luis Enrique Martínez highlighted the "maturity" of his team after overturning the quarter-final tie against Barcelona in the Champions League with a victory at the Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys (1-4).
"I've seen a very mature and complete team, eager to turn the situation around. We played a very complete game from start to finish. Our team took a step forward in maturity. Surely no one saw us as favorites in these semi-finals, and here we are," evaluated the Asturian coach in statements to 'Movistar+'.
Luis Enrique praised his team's ability to react: "We started the game brilliantly. We knew it would be a high-scoring match. We were prepared for any scenario, even to concede, although in 12 minutes Barcelona hadn't even approached our area and then they scored a spectacular goal through Lamine."
The Spanish coach avoided commenting on Ronald Araujo's expulsion in the 29th minute: "I haven't seen it and I'm not one to judge. For some, the red card is clear, for others it's not; that's football. I try not to put myself in the referee's shoes, protest little or nothing, and convey to my players calmness to handle the emotions that are very high in these matches."
Furthermore, Luis Enrique highlighted the challenge of facing Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals, a team they encountered in the group stage and finished ahead of PSG in the standings. "I had arranged to meet their coach in the final, but we'll see each other in the semi-finals. Dortmund plays very well. We've played two games and we know each other perfectly. They play well, create problems, seek solutions with and without the ball, press well... It's going to be an open semi-final," he added.
From the press room at the Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys, Luis Enrique admitted that it had been "very difficult emotionally" for him to face his former team and said he hopes "not to play many more times against Barcelona."
The Asturian coach described the result as "fair": "In the first leg, we didn't deserve to lose, but we did; today we didn't deserve to concede, but we did. From there, the team kept growing and was superb in pressing."
"We were able to play the game where we wanted. The red card played an important role, but you have to know how to win these types of matches to avoid mistakes. The result is fair. I think a draw would have been the fairest in the first leg. We knew there would be goals today, and the players kept their faith. They are very happy," he commented.
Additionally, Luis Enrique praised Mbappé's defensive effort: "Today, Kylian has been the undisputed leader of our team in an aspect where forwards don't usually stand out, the pressure. It proves that leadership comes from setting an example. When Kylian shows that, we are much better."
