Luis Enrique admitted his delight at avoiding the favourites in the Champions League quarter-finals as his Paris Saint-Germain side were paired with former club Barcelona in Friday’s draw.
The two European giants will collide over two legs in April for a spot in the semi-finals. The winner will face one of Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund, with Manchester City, Real Madrid, Arsenal and Bayern Munich on the other side of the tournament tree.
While PSG remain on course to win their 12th Ligue 1 title, boasting a ten-point lead over nearest competitors Brest, the Champions League remains illusive. With Kylian Mbappe edging towards an expected departure this summer, it could be their best chance of European glory before a rebuild phase truly commences.
Speaking to the press ahead of Sunday’s league clash with Montpellier on Sunday night, Enrique expressed his delight at returning to his former club.
He said: “We were lucky because we are returning to Spain, I am returning to Barcelona, which is the city where I spent most of my career. I feel very good there, it is very good news.
“PSG, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Dortmund have to show they deserve to go further in the competition. The favourites are on the other side of the draw, it’s difficult to predict what will happen.
“Whether we are favourites or not, I don’t care. I transmitted my confidence to the team, I think we will be better, with experience of the players in this competition.”
Enrique was in charge for Barca’s incredible remontada victory over PSG in the Champions League last 16 back in 2017 as the Catalan giants overturned a 4-0 first-leg deficit by winning the second game 6-1 at Camp Nou.
Enrique added: “Unfortunately that comeback was of no use. Juventus eliminated us afterwards. It was the most special game of my career. We remembered the comeback, but we were between life and death 15 days before. Then, the panorama changed. I remember the 4-0 and the 6-1.
“It’s part of the history, I’m very proud of it. I won’t change anything in my career. I probably could have done a lot better, but I gave it my best.”
