Luis Enrique compares Girona match to childbirth as PSG secure narrow win
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Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique reacts from the technical area during the Champions League clash against Girona.
PHOTO: AFP
PARIS – Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique admitted he did not enjoy watching his side’s tense 1-0 win over Girona in the Champions League on Sept 18.
PSG secured victory after Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, who had thwarted numerous efforts from the French champions, made a calamitous error in the final minute of regulation time to give the hosts all three points.
“We were superior, but Girona played us in circles and made us dizzy. At half-time, we said that if we didn’t press, we were going to suffer. We had to win, and it was very difficult. It was very difficult. I told (Girona coach) Michel that this was worse than giving birth, with all due respect,” Enrique told Movistar Plus.
PSG had over 60 per cent possession and 26 attempts on goal, but looked set to be left frustrated by their opponents at the Parc des Princes until a low Nuno Mendes cross squirmed under Gazzaniga and into the net.
It was a harsh ending to their Champions League bow for Girona, who qualified for Europe for the first time in their history after a landmark third-place finish in La Liga last season.
PSG missed chance after chance in the second half and looked set to draw another continental blank, just like in their semi-final defeat by Borussia Dortmund last season when they somehow failed to score in either leg.
However, the late goal allowed Enrique’s team to continue their perfect start to the campaign as they aim to go further than last season’s run to the semis and win European football’s biggest prize for the first time.
“Girona defended very well and showed why last season they led La Liga for so long. They are a better team than many in the second or third pot of seeds, even in the first pot. But we were much better in the second half. We got a bit of luck with the goal, but we deserved the victory,” Enrique said.
Under the new Champions League format, teams play eight matches against different opponents, with the top eight sides in the 36-team league automatically advancing to the last 16, and the next 16 playing a two-legged play-off.
He observed that the format creates uncertainty about the significance of results.
“Winning a match or any title is difficult, but we don’t know the dimension of this competition with this format,” Enrique said.
“We are going to have to play matches against teams that have easier schedules than ours. How many points are we going to need? There are many unknowns that need to be cleared up.”
Despite the victory, PSG suffered a setback as forward Marco Asensio limped off just before half-time. Enrique was confident, however, in the strength of his squad.
“He felt a twinge. Marco had started the season well. This is professional football, and we have a very good squad,” he said, as he looked ahead to their next match against Reims away in Ligue 1 on Sept 21. REUTERS, AFP