Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique stresses vigilance as his team aims for back-to-back Champions League triumphs in the playoff second leg against Monaco.
PSG Holds Slim 3-2 Aggregate Lead
PSG enters the Parc des Princes showdown with a 3-2 advantage after overturning a two-goal deficit in the first leg at Stade Louis II on February 17. Enrique praised his players’ resilience in that match.
“It’ll be tricky because Monaco starts one goal down with nothing to lose,” Enrique stated. “We expect tough moments, so the best approach is our usual style—retaining possession and pressing intensely without the ball. We’re not defending a result; we’re playing to win.”
Last Season’s Road to Glory
Defending champions PSG navigated Ligue 1 rivals Brest in last season’s playoffs, then eliminated Liverpool in the round of 16. They dispatched Aston Villa in the quarterfinals and Arsenal in the semifinals before demolishing Inter Milan 5-0 in the Munich final.
Monaco Remains Defiant
Monaco coach Sébastien Pocognoli highlights his side’s freedom in the return fixture. Defender Jordan Teze added confidence: “PSG are strong, but so are we. We can challenge them effectively with our squad’s quality and growing assurance.”
Hakimi Expected to Feature
Moroccan fullback Achraf Hakimi likely starts despite facing rape charges from a February 2023 incident. The 27-year-old denies the allegations, stating on social media, “I am calmly awaiting this trial, which will allow the truth to come out publicly.”
Other Key Playoff Matches
Real Madrid holds a 1-0 edge over Benfica, while Borussia Dortmund leads Atalanta 2-0. Juventus trails Galatasaray 2-5. Tuesday results saw Bodoe/Glimt advance past Inter Milan 5-2 aggregate, alongside wins for Newcastle United, Atletico Madrid, and Bayer Leverkusen.
