Luis Enrique made an unexpected statement about the Champions League favorite

Paris Saint-Germain's 2-1 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League group stage was one of the main topics of the week. But the football community was much more surprised that Parisian head coach Luis Enrique, commenting on the success of his team, called Barcelona the main contender for the trophy, not his own club.

According to the Spanish specialist, the Catalans are demonstrating a special level of play this season, which sets them apart from their competitors. "Barcelona has a clear playing philosophy, a clear structure and an incredible team unity. This is a quality that is rarely seen today, even among the top clubs in Europe," Luis Enrique emphasized. However, he noted that the tournament is only gaining momentum, and the real battle for the cup will begin in the playoffs.



Interestingly, the current PSG coach knows the Catalan club well from the inside: it was with him that Luis Enrique won the Champions League in 2015. Perhaps it is this emotional connection and the experience of working in Spain that makes him consider Barcelona as the strongest opponent. For the fans of the Blue-Garnet, such words sounded like a recognition that the team was regaining its status as a great European force.

At the same time, Enrique did not hide the ambitions of his current club. In his opinion, PSG is also capable of fighting for victory in the tournament, especially if the players continue to progress and maintain their concentration in the crucial stages. The coach recalled that last season his team did not finish the group stage so well, but this did not prevent it from reaching the late stages.

The next round of the Champions League promises to be no less exciting. The Parisians will play against the German Bayer Leverkusen, a team that has recently been surprising with its stability and attacking football. At the same time, Barcelona will face Olympiacos, which is always dangerous on its own field thanks to the fierce support of the fans. Both fights are scheduled for October 21 and promise to bring a lot of emotions.

Analysts point out that Luis Enrique's words can be not only an expression of respect for his former club, but also a kind of psychological move. Perhaps the Spaniard wants to take the extra pressure off his players by shifting the role of favorite to Barcelona. This technique is often used in big-time sports: when attention is focused on the opponent, your own team gets a chance to work more calmly.

In any case, the Champions League of the 2024/25 season has already created several sensations, and everything indicates that the intrigue will continue until the very finals. And although coaches, journalists and fans are arguing about the favorites, we will see the real strength of the clubs only when the elimination matches begin.