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Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique praised his side’s character and maturity after they secured a 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.
However, he cautioned against overconfidence, stressing that the job is far from done ahead of the return leg in Paris.
Speaking to Canal Plus after the match at the Emirates Stadium, Enrique commended his players’ mindset.
“We showed the same mentality we bring into every match. As a coach, it’s a joy to see this attitude,” he said.
The tie was decided by a fourth-minute goal from Ousmane Dembélé, who capped off a flowing move by turning in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s cross with a crisp first-time strike.
PSG had chances to double their lead, including a late effort from substitute Gonçalo Ramos that struck the crossbar.
Arsenal also came close when Mikel Merino’s header found the net but was disallowed for offside early in the second half.
While PSG are now in a strong position, needing only a draw at home next Wednesday to book their place in the final, Enrique warned against complacency.
“We won’t get carried away. The players understand how difficult this kind of match is to win. We need to stay composed, draw strength from our home crowd, and play our game,” he said.
This result puts PSG one step closer to a second-ever Champions League final, following last year’s semi-final loss to Borussia Dortmund.
Enrique, who led Barcelona to European glory in 2015, emphasised the importance of maintaining focus, especially in high-stakes fixtures like this one.
Dembélé, who was left out of PSG’s earlier group-stage loss to Arsenal for disciplinary reasons, has returned to form with a remarkable impact. His goal in London was his 33rd of the season, with 28 of those coming since mid-December.
However, the French international was forced off in the second half, and his availability for the second leg remains uncertain.
“I’m not sure if he’ll be ready, but if Ousmane can play, great. If not, we still have a solid team,” Enrique said, underlining the depth of his squad.
Midfielder Vitinha echoed his coach’s sentiments, crediting the team’s unity and determination.
“It was a great team performance. We showed how much we want to reach the final.”
