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#UEFA #Champions #League #semifinal #PSG #Luis #Enrique #ahead #Bayern #clash">UEFA Champions League semifinal: Nobody better than PSG, says Luis Enrique ahead of Bayern clash Holder Paris St Germain takes on Bayern Munich in a Champions League semifinal clash of two of the top attacking teams in Europe, and while Luis Enrique says the German club is the most consistent, no team is better than his side.
Three of the last four teams, PSG, Bayern and Arsenal, are top of their domestic leagues and the German side has clinched the Bundesliga, losing one game, having also lost once in Europe.
While PSG and Atletico Madrid had to come through the playoffs, Arsenal and Bayern were the top two in the league phase. In the last 16 and quarterfinals, PSG netted 12 goals and Bayern 16.
“It’s not just about attacking statistics, but if you look at the defensive ones too, these are the best teams in Europe,” Luis Enrique told reporters ahead of Tuesday’s first leg at home.
“Arsenal have done an incredible job this season also, in terms of consistency. Bayern are a bit ahead of us because they have only lost two games, but if we speak about what we have shown as a team, we’re right up there.
“And no team is better than us. I said this after we didn’t finish in the top eight in the league phase that I didn’t see any teams better than us.”
Last season, PSG also finished outside the top eight in the league stage before going on to lift the trophy, and in Ligue 1, having battled with Lens for long periods, it is six points clear.
“Every coach wants to head into the run-in in the best possible conditions,” the PSG manager said.
“It’s the magic of the Champions League which gives special energy to the players, everyone wants to be there and to make the most of this time.”
NO NEGOTIATING
Enrique is well aware of the attacking threat posed by Bayern, including wingers Luis Diaz and Michael Olise, but that will not change the way his side approach the tie.
“We won the Champions League last season with (full backs) Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes doing what they do,” he said.
“Of course they have to defend as well, but we know that they have to attack more than they defend if we want to win.
“We know how difficult it will be and we have to know how to defend well.”
The French club had long set its sights on winning the Champions League, and having finally realised that dream last season, there is no chance of a less ambitious PSG this time.
“The first run was a relief, now it’s a different source of motivation because last year was great,” Enrique said. “We made history. And now, we’re hungry for more.”
Published on Apr 27, 2026
Holder Paris St Germain takes on Bayern Munich in a Champions League semifinal clash of…
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#Isak #named #Liverpool #squad #PSG #clash #long #injury #absence">Isak named in Liverpool squad for PSG clash after long injury absence
Alexander Isak has been included in the Liverpool squad for Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal first-leg at Paris Saint-Germain as the Sweden striker returns from a lengthy injury absence.
Isak has only made 16 appearances for Liverpool since his British record move from Newcastle United last year after struggling with a series of fitness issues.
In December, Isak was injured in a tackle by Micky van de Ven while in the process scoring the opening goal in a 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur, leading to surgery on an ankle injury which included a fibula fracture.
READ | Favourite tag means nothing, says PSG’s Luis Enrique ahead of Liverpool clash
After 15 weeks on the sidelines, the 26-year-old is finally ready to feature in a Liverpool squad again.
“Alexander Isak is among the players that departed John Lennon Airport for Paris this afternoon, ahead of Wednesday night’s quarter-final first leg at Parc des Princes,” Liverpool said on their website.
Isak returned to group training last Thursday and worked with his team-mates on Tuesday morning before jetting off to France.
Isak’s absence has been keenly felt and his place in the 21-man squad for the trip to Paris could be a major boost for Arne Slot’s spluttering side.
Pressure is mounting on Slot and his team after Saturday’s dismal 4-0 loss at Manchester City in the FA Cup quarterfinals.
Liverpool is languishing in fifth place in the Premier League and the Champions League is its last hope of silverware this season.
The Reds were knocked out of the Champions League on penalties by PSG in the last-16 in 2025.
Published on Apr 07, 2026
Alexander Isak has been included in the Liverpool squad for Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal first-leg at Paris Saint-Germain as the Sweden striker returns from a lengthy injury absence.
Isak has only made 16 appearances for Liverpool since his British record move from Newcastle United last year after struggling with a series of fitness issues.
In December, Isak was injured in a tackle by Micky van de Ven while in the process scoring the opening goal in a 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur, leading to surgery on an ankle injury which included a fibula fracture.
READ | Favourite tag means nothing, says PSG’s Luis Enrique ahead of Liverpool clash
After 15 weeks on the sidelines, the 26-year-old is finally ready to feature in a Liverpool squad again.
“Alexander Isak is among the players that departed John Lennon Airport for Paris this afternoon, ahead of Wednesday night’s quarter-final first leg at Parc des Princes,” Liverpool said on their website.
Isak returned to group training last Thursday and worked with his team-mates on Tuesday morning before jetting off to France.
Isak’s absence has been keenly felt and his place in the 21-man squad for the trip to Paris could be a major boost for Arne Slot’s spluttering side.
Pressure is mounting on Slot and his team after Saturday’s dismal 4-0 loss at Manchester City in the FA Cup quarterfinals.
Liverpool is languishing in fifth place in the Premier League and the Champions League is its last hope of silverware this season.
The Reds were knocked out of the Champions League on penalties by PSG in the last-16 in 2025.
Published on Apr 07, 2026
Alexander Isak has been included in the Liverpool squad for Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal first-leg…
Sports news
#Favourite #tag #means #PSGs #Luis #Enrique #ahead #Liverpool #clash">Favourite tag means nothing, says PSG’s Luis Enrique ahead of Liverpool clash
Paris St Germain manager Luis Enrique has played down suggestions his side is favourite ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg at home to out-of-form Liverpool.
The English champion, fifth in the Premier League, has suffered 15 defeats across all competitions this season – its most in a single campaign since losing 18 matches in 2014-15.
PSG, meanwhile, leads Ligue 1 and is well placed to defend its Champions League crown. “It’s difficult to talk about Liverpool,” Enrique told reporters on Tuesday. “Liverpool manager Arne Slot speaks very well about them.
READ | PSG vs Lens postponed to May 13 as LFP prioritises Champions League and UEFA coefficient push
“My view is that it’s both the same team and a different team. Everyone is trying to work out who the favourites are, but in this sort of match that means nothing. It will be tough for both teams.
“Showing that we’re still in the running every year and playing against Liverpool is always a positive thing. We want to reach the semi-finals; we know how difficult it will be, but we’re very motivated.”
The tie is a repeat of last season’s round-of-16 meeting, when PSG knocked Liverpool out on penalties.
“Last year, everyone said it was Liverpool, and PSG went through,” the Spaniard said.
This time, it will also see Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike come up against his former club.
The 23-year-old France international has enjoyed an impressive first season in England, scoring 17 goals and providing six assists in 43 appearances.
Ekitike spent a brief spell at PSG between 2023 and 2024 but found minutes hard to come by in a squad featuring Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
“After leaving here, he did very well in Germany and at Liverpool,” Luis Enrique added. “He’s now an international player and has made great progress. He was very young when he was here; he’s improved a lot.”
Spanish midfielder Fabian Ruiz did not train with the squad on Monday due to injury, but French winger Bradley Barcola did following an ankle problem.
Published on Apr 07, 2026
Paris St Germain manager Luis Enrique has played down suggestions his side is favourite ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg at home to out-of-form Liverpool.
The English champion, fifth in the Premier League, has suffered 15 defeats across all competitions this season – its most in a single campaign since losing 18 matches in 2014-15.
PSG, meanwhile, leads Ligue 1 and is well placed to defend its Champions League crown. “It’s difficult to talk about Liverpool,” Enrique told reporters on Tuesday. “Liverpool manager Arne Slot speaks very well about them.
READ | PSG vs Lens postponed to May 13 as LFP prioritises Champions League and UEFA coefficient push
“My view is that it’s both the same team and a different team. Everyone is trying to work out who the favourites are, but in this sort of match that means nothing. It will be tough for both teams.
“Showing that we’re still in the running every year and playing against Liverpool is always a positive thing. We want to reach the semi-finals; we know how difficult it will be, but we’re very motivated.”
The tie is a repeat of last season’s round-of-16 meeting, when PSG knocked Liverpool out on penalties.
“Last year, everyone said it was Liverpool, and PSG went through,” the Spaniard said.
This time, it will also see Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike come up against his former club.
The 23-year-old France international has enjoyed an impressive first season in England, scoring 17 goals and providing six assists in 43 appearances.
Ekitike spent a brief spell at PSG between 2023 and 2024 but found minutes hard to come by in a squad featuring Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
“After leaving here, he did very well in Germany and at Liverpool,” Luis Enrique added. “He’s now an international player and has made great progress. He was very young when he was here; he’s improved a lot.”
Spanish midfielder Fabian Ruiz did not train with the squad on Monday due to injury, but French winger Bradley Barcola did following an ankle problem.
Published on Apr 07, 2026
Paris St Germain manager Luis Enrique has played down suggestions his side is favourite ahead…