Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has insisted there is no clear favourite ahead of Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal.
PSG have emerged as one of the most attacking sides in this season’s competition, scoring 44 goals — the highest by any club in the tournament. Arsenal, however, head into the final with the best defensive record after conceding only six goals.
Despite PSG’s dominant 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in last season’s final to win their first Champions League title, Luis Enrique said finals are usually closely contested encounters.
“Finals are always difficult games. Last year was exceptional because we dominated against Inter,” the Spanish coach said.
“In tomorrow’s final, I don’t think there is a favourite. For us, the difference will be in the details. It will be a very close game.”
The former Barcelona manager added that his players must learn to handle the pressure and emotions that come with playing in a Champions League final.
“We will have to give everything for 90 minutes and also enjoy the occasion. There will be moments of tension, but managing the stress is very important,” he said.
Luis Enrique also dismissed suggestions that PSG and Arsenal have completely different playing styles.
“I would say they are similar approaches with different tactics. Arsenal score goals and defend well, while we also attack and defend strongly, but in different ways,” he explained.
Arsenal are seeking their first-ever Champions League title, while PSG are aiming to win back-to-back trophies. According to Luis Enrique, defending the title would be an even greater achievement.
“You know how powerful it is to win a second Champions League in a row? It is even bigger,” he said.
Only Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid have successfully defended the Champions League title in the modern era.
Luis Enrique could also become only the fifth coach to win the competition three times, having previously lifted the trophy with Barcelona in 2015 before guiding PSG to victory last season.
The PSG coach stated that winning the Champions League was one of the major reasons he joined the Paris club.
“That was my objective, the club’s objective and the sporting director’s objective. It was part of the plan,” he said.
He also confirmed that defenders Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes are fit for the final, while forward Ousmane Dembele has recovered from a calf injury.
