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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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#UCL #Arteta #urges #Arsenal #play #pure #fire #Sporting #damaging #defeats">UCL 2025-26: Arteta urges Arsenal to play with ‘pure fire’ against Sporting after damaging defeats
Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal to play with “pure fire” as it looks to bounce back from a series of damaging defeats in Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Sporting Lisbon.
Arteta’s side can reach the semifinals of the competition for a second successive season if it finishes off Sporting at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners go into the quarterfinal second leg with a 1-0 lead after last week’s game in Lisbon.
But that narrow success was Arsenal’s only victory in its last four matches, with three defeats sparking claims Arteta and his team are choking as the pressure mounts at the business end of the season.
“There is no fear. Pure fire. That’s it. Me, the first one. Pure fire. That’s what I want to see on the players, on the people, on myself,” he insisted at his pre-match press conference.
READ | Rice misses training to add to Arsenal injury concerns ahead of Sporting clash
“Fire! I’m on fire. I’m on fire. That’s it. Nothing else. I’m dreaming so much. I’ve done so much to be in this position because I know how this club was. I’ve done so much and this is beauty.”
Losing the League Cup final against Manchester City and the FA Cup quarterfinal against second-tier Southampton was bad enough.
But a shock 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday left Arteta facing pointed questions about Arsenal’s character.
Arsenal is just six points ahead of second-placed City, which has a game in hand and hosts the Gunners in a seismic showdown on Sunday.
The north Londoners have finished Premier League runner-up for the past three seasons — twice blowing substantial leads to City in 2023 and 2024.
It has also failed to win a trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, which remains the only silverware won by Arteta in over six years in charge.
There is a growing feeling of deja vu among a nervous Arsenal fan-base, but Arteta launched a passionate defence of his squad.
“We are in April, we have an incredible opportunity ahead of us. Let’s confront it, let’s go for it by really putting absolutely everything into it,” added the Spaniard.
“I want to get it done for all these people that have been in this journey with us. And because they deserve it, because it’s been unbelievable. That’s what is driving me every single day. I have zero fear.”
‘Doing something incredible’
Arsenal hasn’t lifted the Premier League since 2004 and has never won the Champions League.
If it makes the Champions League last four this season, it would be the first time it has reached the semifinals of the competition in two consecutive seasons.
Arteta, whose side lost to Paris Saint-Germain in last year’s semifinals, acknowledged the size of the task facing Arsenal as they try to do a Premier League and Champions League double.
“What we are trying to achieve is difficult, is challenging, and is bumpy and it’s supposed to be like this,” he said.
“I said to the players, ‘Guys, we are trying to do something that hasn’t been done in the history of the club in 140 years. So that tells you the difficulty of what you are doing’.
“We have the opportunity tomorrow to go to the semi-finals. We are competing to win the Premier League and we are in a really strong position.
“So the team is doing something incredible because it’s never been done before.”
Published on Apr 14, 2026
Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal to play with “pure fire” as it looks to bounce back from a series of damaging defeats in Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Sporting Lisbon.
Arteta’s side can reach the semifinals of the competition for a second successive season if it finishes off Sporting at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners go into the quarterfinal second leg with a 1-0 lead after last week’s game in Lisbon.
But that narrow success was Arsenal’s only victory in its last four matches, with three defeats sparking claims Arteta and his team are choking as the pressure mounts at the business end of the season.
“There is no fear. Pure fire. That’s it. Me, the first one. Pure fire. That’s what I want to see on the players, on the people, on myself,” he insisted at his pre-match press conference.
READ | Rice misses training to add to Arsenal injury concerns ahead of Sporting clash
“Fire! I’m on fire. I’m on fire. That’s it. Nothing else. I’m dreaming so much. I’ve done so much to be in this position because I know how this club was. I’ve done so much and this is beauty.”
Losing the League Cup final against Manchester City and the FA Cup quarterfinal against second-tier Southampton was bad enough.
But a shock 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday left Arteta facing pointed questions about Arsenal’s character.
Arsenal is just six points ahead of second-placed City, which has a game in hand and hosts the Gunners in a seismic showdown on Sunday.
The north Londoners have finished Premier League runner-up for the past three seasons — twice blowing substantial leads to City in 2023 and 2024.
It has also failed to win a trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, which remains the only silverware won by Arteta in over six years in charge.
There is a growing feeling of deja vu among a nervous Arsenal fan-base, but Arteta launched a passionate defence of his squad.
“We are in April, we have an incredible opportunity ahead of us. Let’s confront it, let’s go for it by really putting absolutely everything into it,” added the Spaniard.
“I want to get it done for all these people that have been in this journey with us. And because they deserve it, because it’s been unbelievable. That’s what is driving me every single day. I have zero fear.”
‘Doing something incredible’
Arsenal hasn’t lifted the Premier League since 2004 and has never won the Champions League.
If it makes the Champions League last four this season, it would be the first time it has reached the semifinals of the competition in two consecutive seasons.
Arteta, whose side lost to Paris Saint-Germain in last year’s semifinals, acknowledged the size of the task facing Arsenal as they try to do a Premier League and Champions League double.
“What we are trying to achieve is difficult, is challenging, and is bumpy and it’s supposed to be like this,” he said.
“I said to the players, ‘Guys, we are trying to do something that hasn’t been done in the history of the club in 140 years. So that tells you the difficulty of what you are doing’.
“We have the opportunity tomorrow to go to the semi-finals. We are competing to win the Premier League and we are in a really strong position.
“So the team is doing something incredible because it’s never been done before.”
Published on Apr 14, 2026
Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal to play with “pure fire” as it looks to bounce…
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#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…