Luis enrique the misunderstood. Since his arrival on the Paris Saint-Germain bench, the Asturian has often been the subject of criticism concerning his methods and his choices, but also his completely singular personality. Last October, he also took a wave of negative comments after his dry response to a journalist Canal+ Who asked him to explain his tactic after the defeat of PSG against Arsenal in the Champions League (2-0). “No, I have no intention of explaining my tactic because you would not understand. We will have to correct many things, but I have no intention of explaining that. ” Solid on his supports, the former coach of FC Barcelona, described as“arrogant” or “Contemptuous”persisted, he who has always assured that his PSG would be more collective and better without Kylian Mbappé.
A coach and a character criticized in France
Some have doubted it, especially during the first part of the 2024-25 season, where the Ile-de-France stable was sometimes hard. But for a few weeks, everything seems to have finally taken shape and meaning. Already last week, the comments were very positive after the impressive match of Paris against Liverpool. If her team lost 1 to 0, it was she who was the best of both on the field on the outward journey. Yesterday evening, Luis Enrique, who said to whoever wants to hear her that his troops would qualify in Anfield, succeeded. After a goal from Ousmane Dembélé, whom he transformed into a guarantee in the penalty area, he was able to count on the firm hand of Gianluigi Donnarumma as well as the cold of his men during the victorious penalties session. A success that is that of his team but also his.
As explained on our site, he won his duel at a distance with Arne Slot. All this also reinforced him in the idea that he is on the right track with PSG and that what he sought to set up is paying. “It is obvious that it brings us something very positive. We are in a good dynamic. All this confirms us in what we do. ” This qualification is also the most beautiful of the answers to those who did not hesitate to criticize it very brutally. At the top of the line, we find Daniel Riolo. The journalist of RMC Sportwhich was not always tender with Lucho rightly or wrongly, made his mea-culpa last night in the programAfter Foot. He notably returned to the nickname he had given to the Parisian coach, namely “Gifi, genius ideas”. “Gifi, he doesn't do it anymore. There are no more these things. Now everything is clear, he even takes time to make changes, he has his team. ”
More than a victory
He added: “Crazy trick, it started tonight as it started last week, it didn't exist. Kang-in Lee, what has become of them? Each time, we said to ourselves: 'Oh thin, Kang-in Lee plays' and we wondered about the composition. For a year and a half, it was a game to find the composition. ” In the press too, we bow before Luis Enrique. This is the case with the newspaper The worldwho wrote: “The qualification of Paris validates the project of Luis Enrique aimed at creating” a real team “. The success of the capital's club on Tuesday in Anfield, which allows him to reach the quarters of the Champions League, highlights the will of his coach to break with the policy of “stars at all costs”, from the time of the Neymar, Messi and Mbappé. “ The Luis Enrique style is therefore validated after this qualification in Anfield. And it is not in France that we bow. In England, where we mentioned the arrogance of Lucho's PSG before Tuesday's shock, we kneel this Wednesday.
“Luis Enrique has built an exciting team that seems capable of going to the end in Europe this season. Deprived of superstars, Luis Enrique may have accomplished the impossible and made PSG sympathetic; In the field, in any case. Perhaps this team should represent another club, even if its price would dissuade most of the others from buying it ”writing The Independent. “PSG was simply too strong”estimates the Daily Mail. Elsewhere in Europe, we are also impressed by the work carried out by Luis Enrique in Paris. “Intense, spectacular, taboo football, with opportunities on both sides, in all areas”writes the Gazzetta dello Sport. But it is especially in Spain, the country of birth of the coach, that we ignite the most. It should be remembered that the Iberian media often tried to defend the very criticized coach in France.
Spain welcomes its masterpiece
“Luis Enrique deserved it”title Marca. For his part, AS talk about “Lucho masterpiece”before adding: “The Asturian Luis Enrique has trained a team of experts, with very little flaws and no star. PSG dreams of a historic hat -trick after its victory at Anfield. For a decade, Paris Saint-Germain was a team obsessed with the idea of bringing together the best players in the world. The Parisian team has forgotten the most important: building a team. He recruited countless great players, but when it was necessary to hold the teeth and run for his teammate, the Champions League has constantly shaken him. In 2023, however, everything changed with the arrival of Luis Enrique. The goal was now to recruit young players, strengthen the team and find the right coach to achieve this. When Luis Campos suggested the name of Luis Enrique, Al-Khelaïfi did not hesitate to contact him to convince him to take the reins of the project. With his excellent work in Barcelona and also his visit to the Spanish national team, Luis Enrique accepted the challenge. PSG gave him full powers, unlike other coaches, who had to accept, sometimes with resignation, the directives of Qatar. With Lucho, everything has changed. Discipline was the foundation of the project; Individuality has been relegated to the background. »»
AS continues: “Luis Enrique received many criticisms in France because, just before Mbappé's departure in June 2023, he reiterated that the team” was going to be much better next year “. His statements were not daring, because months after the French departure, there is no doubt in Paris that what the Asturian coach has created is a masterpiece. An offensive team, almost irreproachable. Weekend and in Europe, the great torment of PSG, does not give in to any scenario. Critics, which have mentioned certain disagreements with his working method. A qualification that has finally agreed to him.
