Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has admitted he endured a challenging evening during his team’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Girona in their UEFA Champions League opener, Soccernet.football reports.
A late own goal secured the win for PSG, who struggled to break down a resilient Girona side in front of their home fans at Parc des Princes.
The match was heading for a frustrating draw until the 90th minute when Nuno Mendes’ cross was deflected by Girona’s Alejandro Francés, sneaking past goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga to give PSG a fortunate but vital lead.
The result marked PSG’s fifth consecutive win in all competitions, but it was far from comfortable.
Speaking after the game, Luis Enrique revealed the emotional toll the match had taken on him.
“I suffered a lot during this match, more than during childbirth, and I witnessed several even if I was not the main protagonist,” he joked as per GFNF.
The Spanish coach added, “We had 70% possession against a team that usually dominates the ball, and I really liked our second half. The technical and physical rhythm was much higher than Girona’s.”
Despite the absence of superstar Kylian Mbappé, who left PSG for Real Madrid this summer, Enrique is embracing the team’s new collective approach.
“Yes, there’s a star, a star that shines more brightly than anything else, that is the team. You see it on the pitch, one for all and all for one, like the Three Musketeers. That is marvellous in a team sport,” he told TNT Sports Brasil.
PSG now turn their focus to their next Champions League fixture, a trip to North London to face Arsenal on October 1st, hoping to build on their winning start.
TNT Sports Brasil