AFCON 2025
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) manager Luis Enrique has insisted his side’s narrow advantage over Bayern Munich “means nothing” as both teams prepare for a decisive UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg in Munich.
PSG head into Wednesday’s encounter with a 5–4 lead from a dramatic first leg in Paris, a match that has already gone down as the highest-scoring semi-final in Champions League history. The French champions had surged into a 5–2 lead before Bayern mounted a late comeback to keep the tie alive.
Despite that edge, Enrique made it clear his team will not approach the game with caution.
“It’s nothing. It’s just one goal,” the Spaniard said.
“We are ready. We know Bayern Munich can get back into the match and we can also score goals. And we are certainly not here to defend. We’re trying to win the game.”
PSG are appearing in their fifth semi-final in the last seven seasons and their third in a row under Enrique, underlining their growing consistency at Europe’s top level.
The former Barcelona coach acknowledged the challenge posed by Bayern, describing them as the toughest side his team has faced this season, but maintained that PSG would remain true to their attacking philosophy.
“I can’t say Wednesday will be different based on what we saw in the first leg. I don’t think either team will just accept that the other is better,” he said.
“Our mentality is to win every game. We don’t need to play for a particular result because we have to win.”
Enrique also reflected on the intensity of the first-leg encounter, calling it one of the most remarkable matches of his coaching career, even if it was difficult to enjoy from the touchline.
“As a top-level coach, it was very difficult to enjoy,” he admitted.
PSG midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery echoed his manager’s sentiments, describing the first leg as an unforgettable experience for the players.
“It was a crazy game for us. We play football to be involved in these sorts of games. It was one of the best matches the Champions League has seen,” he said.
“The intensity, the commitment, the goals, it was simply exceptional. And we’re expecting the same thing on Wednesday.”
The return leg will take place at the Allianz Arena, a venue that holds special significance for PSG after they lifted the Champions League trophy there last season.
Enrique also has fond memories of the stadium, having eliminated Bayern on his way to winning the competition with Barcelona in 2015.
“Coming back here will always be a real pleasure because we remember what we achieved last year,” he said.
With just one goal separating the two sides and both teams committed to attacking football, another high-scoring contest could be on the cards as they battle for a place in the final.
