Luis Enrique claims PSG are even more confident ahead of Champions League defence
PSG open their Champions League campaign against Atalanta on Wednesday.
Paris Saint-Germain head into the defence of their Champions League title as a more confident team than the one that went on to clinch an historic treble, according to coach Luis Enrique.
Atalanta visit the Parc des Princes on Wednesday as PSG begin their league phase campaign with a tricky clash with their Serie A opponents.
Liverpool and Barcelona are the bookmakers’ favourites to lift the trophy this season but, speaking in his pre-match press conference, Luis Enrique made it clear his time should not be written off.
Asked if his team had experienced a drop-off since their crushing 5-0 win over Inter Milan sealed a maiden Champions League triumph, Luis Enrique said: “Are we playing a little less well? I disagree. It’s always about analysing what we’re doing.
“Last year, it was a complicated time because of our lack of efficiency in attack. But that’s the normal process of a team that wants to improve. We have more confidence than last year at this point in the Champions League.
“The first title is always difficult because the players don’t think they are capable of winning it. But we showed the way.
“Now, all of PSG and the young players want to win because they know they are capable of it. For me, it’s more difficult to win the first than the second or third.”
PSG are set to be without Ousmane Dembele (hamstring) and Désiré Doué (calf), though they are hopeful Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will be able to play despite suffering a calf injury in a 2-0 win over Lens last Saturday.
Bradley Barcola’s double made it four wins from four for PSG to start the new Ligue 1 season.
And captain Marquinhos has full faith in Barcola to continue to deliver amid the absences of Dembele and Doue.
“In this kind of case, there are always players who can take advantage of it. Bradley is never a surprise to us,” Marquinhos said.
“People around him may attract more attention, but he has always been very decisive for us, especially in times when we needed him.
“But we shouldn’t put all the pressure on Barcola. Important players will not be there tomorrow, but key players who are not strikers have scored important goals, such as Fabian Ruiz, Achraf Hakimi or Nuno Mendes.”