PARIS — Ahead of the Champions League quarterfinal clash, Paris Saint-Germain’s coach, Luis Enrique, downplayed any assumptions that his team is the favorite against Aston Villa. Despite PSG’s consistent presence in the latter stages of the competition since the Qatari investors took over more than a decade ago, Villa hasn’t reached this stage since 1983.
“People didn’t believe we had a chance against Liverpool, so I don’t think there are favorites in matches like these,” stated Luis Enrique during a press briefing on Tuesday. “It’s going to be a challenging and evenly-matched game. It will certainly be intense,” he added.
PSG recently celebrated a 13th Ligue 1 championship with several games remaining, while Aston Villa is striving for a top-four spot in the Premier League with an impressive seven-match winning streak leading into their first-leg encounter in Paris.
Luis Enrique, who previously led Barcelona to a treble in 2015, is preparing for potential tactical challenges posed by Villa’s coach, Unai Emery, a compatriot. Emery, known for his strategic acumen, led Sevilla to three Europa League titles and Villarreal to last year’s Champions League semifinals.
“Their strength lies in their adaptability, which makes it difficult to predict their approach. They’re adept at both maintaining a sturdy defense and executing swift attacks from the back,” Enrique explained. “Containing a team like Villa when they break from midfield is a formidable task.”
Emery’s reputation as a tactician has been well-established from their mutual times coaching in Spain. Luis Enrique remarked, “Emery is an exceptional coach with boundless energy. He likely already anticipates my strategies.”
The lineup could feature PSG loanee Marco Asensio in Villa’s offensive maneuvers. Addressing the topic of Asensio playing against PSG, Enrique expressed, “I’m pleased Marco is eligible to play. I know him well, and he possesses great technical skills.”
Although PSG has dominated domestically, recent games have revealed vulnerabilities, especially in the early minutes. Notably, they fell behind 2-0 within 30 minutes against Dunkerque in a French Cup semifinal, prompting Enrique to urge his team to maintain focus.
“In the Champions League, you can’t afford to lose concentration,” he cautioned. “Reaching this stage requires complete commitment.”
For the upcoming match, PSG will miss the leadership of Marquinhos, who is suspended, adding to their defensive frailties, particularly against set-pieces and corners—a detail Emery is likely already aware of given his previous tenure with PSG.