Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique Martínez didn’t hold back in praising Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, the team PSG will face this Wednesday in the second matchday of the Champions League group stage. The Spanish manager assured that the Catalan side reflects the true essence of the club, highlighting both its style and the performances of its main stars.

“I love this Hansi Flick team. It’s in tune with the footballing identity that represents Barça. He’s a top-level coach who never plays it safe. As a member and fan, I always watch their games because they’re a joy to see,” said the PSG boss from the press room at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

Pedri, Barcelona’s "Harry Potter"

Luis Enrique’s compliments weren’t limited to the German coach. The former Spain manager also highlighted the form of Pedri, giving him a special nickname: “Harry Potter.” A metaphor to reflect the magic the midfielder brings on the pitch.

“I hope tomorrow he doesn’t bring his wand. We’ll try to keep him out of the game, but we know he’ll show up because Barcelona isn’t just Pedri. They also have Frenkie de Jong, Lamine Yamal, and Pau Cubarsí. Facing them is a huge challenge because they dominate both with and without the ball,” he said.

For the Asturian coach, the key will be in the battle for possession, an area where both teams will look to impose their style: “To beat this Barça, you need to deliver not only a high footballing level but also an emotional one.”

PSG Arrive With Injuries and Doubts

The Parisian side landed in Barcelona with several key absences. Dembélé, Marquinhos, Doué, and Kvaratskhelia are all unavailable. In addition, important players like Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz, and Joao Neves remain doubtful until the last moment, depending on how they feel on matchday.

“We want to be cautious. The decision will depend more on the player than on me. It’s an important game, but not a decisive one,” explained Luis Enrique, aware that he’ll need to adapt his plan to the players he has available.

A Special Return to Barcelona

Beyond the tactical analysis, Luis Enrique admitted his emotions at returning to a city he considers home. “Barcelona is my home. It’s not the Camp Nou, but Montjuïc is a beautiful stadium, with very special memories like the opening of the 1992 Olympic Games,” he recalled.

A year and a half after coaching at the same venue, the Spanish manager will look to repeat a prestigious victory like that 4-1 win against Xavi Hernández’s Barça, this time against Flick’s revamped Barcelona.