PSG Coach Luis Enrique Makes Bullish Claim About UCL ‘Favourite’ Despite His Team Finishing Outside Top 8

Paris Saint-Germain won the UEFA Champions League last season but failed to make the top eight again this season. Despite the disappointing finish in the standings, manager Luis Enrique made a bold claim about his side ahead of the playoffs.

No Team Is Better Than PSG, Says Luis Enrique

PSG finished 11th in the UEFA Champions League standings after failing to beat Newcastle United in the final match. The French side played at home and took the lead, but the Premier League club equalized and held on for a draw.

The result saw both teams miss out on the top eight and now forces them into the playoff round to reach the Round of 16. Enrique spoke after the match, acknowledging that his team was aware of Newcastle’s strengths.

He insisted PSG deserved to win, even if the margin would have been narrow. He said:

“It was a very good first half. We started positively. We missed a penalty, but we created chances. The equaliser just before half-time hurt. Physically, Newcastle are strong. We knew that before the match. We deserved to win, not by a huge margin, but by a little more. We face very different teams in Ligue 1. I have nothing to reproach my players for, even if some didn’t perform at their usual level.”

However, Enrique made an even bolder claim after the match, saying that his side remains the top favorite for the title this season. He expressed confidence that his players will perform in the knockout rounds and defend the title.

“I don’t see anyone as a bigger favorite than us in the competition. We can be better, get better results. But we’re here, we’re ready. We’ll see who we play against, Monaco or Qarabag. I’m very demanding of my team. We have to analyse who we’re going to face. We had 13 points before the last match. We deserved to win against Newcastle. The defeat in Lisbon, however, was undeserved.”

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PSG will face AS Monaco or Qarabag in the playoffs in late February before potentially meeting Chelsea or Barcelona in the Round of 16. The draw will take place Friday, Jan. 30.

Arsenal finished atop the UEFA Champions League standings this season, winning all eight matches. The Gunners are widely considered favorites for the title after scoring 23 goals and conceding just four in league play.