Luis Enrique urges PSG to step up performance in Champions League knockout round
Luis Enrique, manager of Paris Saint-Germain, recognised that his squad possesses significant potential for growth after narrowly defeating Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday, paving the way for a last-16 encounter with either Barcelona or Chelsea.
"We encountered the most demanding group in the league stage, and we are familiar with competing in matches of this nature against all teams," stated the Spanish coach following Wednesdays 2-2 stalemate in the French showdown play-off, which saw PSG progress 5-4 on aggregate.
PSG held a 3-2 lead from the previous weeks initial match, but Maghnes Akliouche put Monaco ahead in the evenings action at Parc des Princes, tying the overall score.
The ejection of Monacos Mamadou Coulibaly shortly after half-time cleared the path for PSG to draw level via Marquinhos and then take a 2-1 lead in the return fixture courtesy of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Despite playing with ten men, the Monaco outfit managed another goal through Jordan Teze, while Wout Faes squandered a prime opportunity to extend the contest into additional time.
"Naturally, we can and desire to get better, yet there is invariably an adversary, and we anticipated the challenge," Luis Enrique commented.
"The upcoming match will be simpler, right? Chelsea or Barca, that is decent. Yet if any side is prepared, it is ours."
PSG top Ligue 1 and continue chasing a defence of the Champions League crown they claimed for the inaugural time last term.
They have secured the UEFA Super Cup, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, and the French Champions Trophy this season, all via penalty shootouts.
There lingers a feeling that the Qatari-backed outfit falls some distance from the peak condition displayed in the latter part of last season, when they dominated European foes en route to a 5-0 Champions League final triumph over Inter Milan in Munich.
"We recognised the difficulty and felt no shock from Monaco," Luis Enrique supplemented.
"We demonstrated our toughness and capacity to surmount obstacles, but this tournament is tough. Progressing is vital, and that is our focus."
Secure all trophies
He anticipates a full recovery for last years Ballon dOr recipient Ousmane Dembele, as the 28-year-old netted 35 times last campaign but has managed only 11 this term, appearing as a starter in just 14 of 38 outings.
PSG learn on Friday their route to this seasons finale in Budapest, extending past the revelation of their last-16 foes next month.
They overcame Barcelona 2-1 on the road in the league stage this October and have met the Catalan club in five knockout clashes since 2013.
Paris clashed with Chelsea in knockout stages across three consecutive seasons from 2014 to 2016 and fell 3-0 to the Londoners in last years Club World Cup decider.
When questioned on restoring his teams prowess from the prior year, Luis Enrique responded: "Simply persist with our current approach.
"We stand prepared to face any rivals in every tournament. Injuries have affected us plenty, but that serves no justification.
"Approximately three months remain in the campaign, and our mindset stays consistent. Our goal encompasses victory in all contests."
In the meantime, Monaco shift attention to securing European qualification anew next season after exiting the Champions League play-offs for the second successive year.
"We might have achieved further in this effort, but it remains rewarding," noted Monaco manager Sebastien Pocognoli, with his team sitting eighth in Ligue 1.
"We trust this encounter accelerates our advancement ahead."