Paris Saint-Germain’s Spanish head coach, Luis Enrique, expressed his pride in his team despite their “unfair” defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semi-final. While PSG missed out on reaching the final at Wembley after a 1-0 loss to the Germans, Enrique praised his team’s effort, pointing out that they hit the woodwork six times over the two legs. The coach accepted the loss graciously, acknowledging that football can be unpredictable and unjust at times.
Despite the disappointment of being knocked out of the Champions League, Enrique remained proud of his team’s performance. He took responsibility for the defeat but commended the attitude and behavior of his players throughout the tie. PSG had been aiming to reach the final for the second time in their history and win the trophy for the first time. However, they can still look forward to potentially winning all domestic honours in France, having already secured the Ligue 1 title and a place in the French Cup final.
As PSG prepare for the French Cup final against Lyon on May 25, which will also mark Kylian Mbappe’s final game for the club before his departure, Enrique reflected on the season’s objectives. He emphasized the importance of competing for every trophy and vowed to assess their achievements at the end of the campaign. Despite the disappointment of the Champions League exit, the coach remains hopeful for success in the remaining domestic competitions.
In the aftermath of the defeat, Enrique tried to offer words of comfort to his players in the dressing room. While he usually refrains from speaking to the team after a game, he felt compelled to address them following such a significant loss. The coach acknowledged the sorrow and frustration felt by the team but stressed the importance of accepting defeat graciously. He praised Borussia Dortmund for their performance and urged his players to learn from the experience, emphasizing the importance of knowing how to lose gracefully in sport.
Looking ahead, PSG will focus on regrouping and preparing for their upcoming fixtures, with the aim of ending the season on a high note. Enrique’s leadership and positive attitude will be crucial in motivating the team to bounce back from the Champions League disappointment and pursue success in the remaining competitions. The coach’s resilience and focus on achieving their goals will guide PSG as they seek to overcome setbacks and strive for glory in the upcoming challenges they face.