“Facing Barcelona was a terrible experience” - Luis Enrique makes big admission on Champions League, says he wants to avoid ‘disaster’ with PSG
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) head coach Luis Enrique has said that it was difficult for him to face his former club Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League last season. PSG beat the Blaugrana 6-4 on aggregate in the quarter-final.
Although Barcelona won the first leg 3-2 in Paris, things changed unravelled in the second after key defender Ronald Araujo was sent off for a foul on Bradley Barcola after Barca led 4-2 on aggregate.
In his interview, Enrique explained about facing his former club in the Champions League (via Barca Times):
"Facing Barcelona was a terrible experience. I feel sorry, but all the feelings are mixed.
"Coming home was a joy, but facing the club that gave me so much as a player and as a coach was a very difficult experience for me, my children and my wife. I hope I don’t have to play against them again this season."
Enrique also hopes that he won't have to face Barca in a final:
“I can’t imagine playing a final against Barcelona. It would be a disaster. I hope it doesn’t happen."
Enrique has represented Barca both as a player and coach. The Spaniard's most memorable stint at the club was as head coach between 2014 and 2017, winning nine trophies, including one UEFA Champions League and two La Liga titles. He's also credited for the rise of MSN (Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez) during his stint, lauded as one of the greatest attacking trios of all time.
It's pertinent to note that Barcelona famously pulled off the La Remontada against PSG in the Champions League under Enrique in the 2016-17 season, becoming the first side in competition history to overhaul a four-goal first-leg deficit.
When Luis Enrique led Barcelona to UEFA Champions League title in the 2014-15 season
In his first managerial season at Barcelona in 2014-15, Luis Enrique led the club to their second continental treble. That season is widely considered one of Barca's most successful ones.
The Blaugrana were especially exceptional in the Champions League, led by the attacking trio of Messi, Neymar and Suarez and a midfield comprising Xavi, Andres and Iniesta and Busquets, making them one of the strongest teams in Europe.
After topping the group stage with 15 points, they beat Manchester City 3-1 in the Round of 16. In the quarter-final, Barcelona beat PSG 5-1 before overcoming Bayern Munich 5-3 on aggregate, with iconic performances from Lionel Messi and Neymar in both legs.
In the final, the Blaugrana beat Juventus 3-1 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, with Ivan Rakitic, Luis Suarez and Neymar finding the back of the net. It remains the club's most recent triumph in the Champions League.