Champions League: PSG Boss Vows There Will Be ‘War’ in Barcelona After First Leg Defeat

Champions League: PSG Boss Vows There Will Be ‘War’ in Barcelona After First Leg Defeat

Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
April 11, 2024 at 6:49 AM
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UEFA Champions League
  • Luis Enrique has vowed his side will stage a 'war' against Barcelona next week
  • His side, PSG, trail Barca 3-2 in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie
  • The 53-year-old famously guided Barca to the historic Remontada win in 2017

Paris Saint-Germain manager, Luis Enrique, has issued a cautionary message to Barcelona ahead of their Champions League quarter-final reverse fixture next Tuesday, April 16.

Enrique's team suffered a setback in the first leg with a 3-2 defeat, marking their maiden home loss in Europe's premier club competition this season, despite initially securing a 2-1 lead after half-time.

PSG, Luis Enrique, Barcelona, Champions League, comeback, Remontada, war.
Luis Enrique is confident of a PSG comeback win against Barcelona in their quarter-final Champions League second leg. Photo by Valerio Pennicino - UEFA.
Source: Getty Images

Facing a daunting challenge in Barcelona, the Spanish tactician, who previously managed the Catalan giants from 2014 to 2017, expresses confidence in his team's ability to reverse the scoreline.

"I want to congratulate Barcelona on the match they've played [against PSG]. We could have achieved a different result, but now we're thinking of coming back in the second leg," Enrique told the media via Tribuna.

Although PSG has the capability to orchestrate a comeback at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, the French champions are cognisant of their opponent's flawless home record this season.

The five-time European champions have emerged victorious in all four matches at their newly adopted home ground, boasting an aggregate score of 12-3, thus rendering PSG's potential comeback nearly insurmountable.

However, Enrique, who oversaw Barcelona's historic 6-1 comeback win against his current team in the Champions League in 2017, remains hopeful of orchestrating a surprise at his former stronghold.

"I don't have any doubts about our ability to come back in the second leg. We play the same way away from home as we do at home.
I understand if people want to come here and destroy everything, but that's not the case for me. There will be war in Barcelona," the 53-year-old remarked.

Xavi insists Barcelona are underdogs

Meanwhile, Sports Brief reported that Xavi Hernandez believes Barcelona remain underdogs despite securing a first-leg lead against PSG in their UCL quarter-final clash.

Xavi, who will depart from his role as Barcelona's manager at the end of the season, orchestrated a tactical triumph to thwart the Parisians in Paris, clinching a 3-2 victory.

Although the outcome grants La Blaugrana a narrow edge heading into the second leg next Tuesday, Xavi has insisted that his team should not be labelled the favourites.

Authors
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe photo
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe is a Ligue 1, Bundesliga, and La Liga editor with five-year experience. He previously worked with Sports Corna and 360SportsGH.
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