
Star of the show
LUIS Enrique got rid of the Galacticos at Paris St Germain and then became one himself.
The Spanish coach, or perhaps he should be called an architect or a visionary, orchestrated a 5-0 destruction of Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
The match was so clinically one-sided that it resembled a training session against an amateur team, rather than a three-time European Cup winner.
Passing, movement, energy.
Tireless pressing, forwards dropping back to defend, wingers protecting fullbacks.
Was this really PSG?
Yes.
All of these attributes were on display in Munich as Luis Enrique joined an elite list of coaches to win the Champions League with multiple clubs. His other success was with Barcelona in 2015 – a 3-1 win against Juventus.
'This is the time for a great party and to make the most of this moment,' Luis Enrique said.
'I felt this connection with the players and the fans, I think it was a very strong connection throughout the season. '
Before Luis Enrique's arrival at the start of last season, such teamwork and unselfishness were not the hallmarks of PSG.
Far from it.
PSG coach Luis Enrique celebrates with his wife Elena Cullell and his son Pacho Martinez and daughter Sira Martinez after winning the Champions League final match against Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, on May 31. — AP
PSG had become increasingly complacent with star names like Neymar, Thiago Silva, Lionel Messi, Edinson Cavani, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kylian Mbappe.
All fine players, some even great, yet all came and went without winning Europe's biggest club prize. Consequentially, the impatience of the club's Qatari owners led to a merry-go-round of coaches.
When Luis Enrique took charge he boldly went against what PSG's owners had done since taking charge 14 years ago.
It was no longer about pandering to star power and, even more importantly, it wasn't about who the new coach signed but rather who he sold.
Out went Neymar and midfielder Marco Verratti, who made too many headlines off the field amid regular reports about their lifestyle and a penchant for partying.
Then, during the off-season, came the biggest jolt of all as Mbappe – the club's record scorer – joined Real Madrid.
How would PSG cope in the French league, let alone the Champions League, without a player they had overly relied on for so long?
Rather well it turns out, although it took time and courage.
On a rainy autumn night in London, Ousmane Dembele was dropped by Luis Enrique and PSG lost to Arsenal 2-0 in a dismally poor performance.
Luis Enrique made it clear he was looking for dedication in his squad and this was non-negotiable, which is why he dropped Dembele.
Critics lambasted his decision and doubts continued as PSG struggled in the new-look Champions League, losing to Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich.
PSG had become increasingly complacent despite having stars like Neymar (right) and Kylian Mbappe.
As baffling a decision it was to some, it nevertheless showed that Luis Enrique was not going to give in to player power, like so many of his predecessors.
Instead of demanding a transfer or moaning, Dembele said nothing. A few months later, he was transformed into a prolific scorer and is now a potential Ballon d'Or winner.
The other turning point came on Jan 22.
PSG faced possible elimination from the Champions League group stage if they lost at home to Manchester City, the 2023 champions. The nightmare scenario saw PSG trailing 2-0, with no Mbappe to bail the team out.
What happened next ultimately defined their season, as the club's young players took the initiative and turned an inevitable-looking defeat into a 4-2 win.
Noticeably, PSG's redesigned attack clicked with four different scorers rather than relying too heavily on one.
The young guns carried on as a resurgent PSG added to their domestic double with the Champions League title for a remarkable treble – which Luis Enrique first achieved with Barcelona 10 years ago.
It was deeply symbolic that PSG's best player against Inter was 19-year-old Desire Doue, who set up the first goal and then scored twice.
Also, there were four different scorers on the night – just like against City.
The last PSG goal was scored by Senny Mayulu, a 19-year-old talent who grew up in the north-eastern Parisian suburb of Le Blanc-Mesnil. — AP
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Alexander-Arnold says signing for Real Madrid is dream come true
MADRID: Former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold described his move to Real Madrid as "a dream come true" in a speech he delivered in Spanish at his official presentation at the La Liga club today. Liverpool-born Alexander-Arnold left his boyhood club last month in a tearful farewell after securing his second Premier League winner's medal, before joining Real on a six-year deal. According to British media reports, Real paid a fee in the region of £10 million (RM57.4 million) to sign the 26-year-old before his Liverpool contract ended on June 30, ensuring his availability for the Club World Cup, set to take place in the United States from June 14 to July 13. "Thank you both to President Florentino Perez and to Real Madrid for this opportunity. Signing for a club like Real Madrid doesn't happen every day. It's a dream come true," he said. "I'm very happy and proud to be here. I'm really looking forward to showing my game to the Madrid fans. But I'm aware that playing for Real Madrid is a big responsibility. "I'm ready to give everything for the team and the fans. I can't wait to show my game, win many titles, become a champion, grow, and enjoy every moment alongside the best players in the world." Alexander-Arnold will wear the number 12 shirt at Real, as Spanish football regulations prohibit the use of his former Liverpool number, 66. He will display his first name, 'Trent', on his shirt, saying it is easier to understand for Spanish speakers. - REUTERS


The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Soccer-Alexander-Arnold says signing for Real Madrid is dream come true
Soccer Football - Real Madrid unveil Trent Alexander-Arnold - Ciudad Real Madrid, Valdebebas, Madrid, Spain - June 12, 2025 New Real Madrid player Trent Alexander-Arnold during the press conference REUTERS/Ana Beltran (Reuters) -Former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold described his move to Real Madrid as "a dream come true" in a speech he delivered in Spanish at his official presentation at the LaLiga club on Thursday. Liverpool-born Alexander-Arnold left his boyhood last month in a tearful farewell after securing his second Premier League winner's medal, before joining Real on a six-year deal. According to British media reports, Real paid a fee in the region of 10 million pounds ($13.58 million) to sign the 26-year-old before his Liverpool contract ended on June 30, ensuring his availability for the Club World Cup, set to take place in the United States from June 14 to July 13. "Thank you both to President Florentino Perez and to Real Madrid for this opportunity. Signing for a club like Real Madrid doesn't happen every day. It's a dream come true," he said. "I'm very happy and proud to be here. I'm really looking forward to showing my game to the Madrid fans. But I'm aware that playing for Real Madrid is a big responsibility. "I'm ready to give everything for the team and the fans. I can't wait to show my game, win many titles, become a champion, grow, and enjoy every moment alongside the best players in the world." Alexander-Arnold will wear the number 12 shirt at Real, as Spanish football regulations prohibit the use of his former Liverpool number, 66. He will display his first name, 'Trent', on his shirt, saying it is easier to understand for Spanish speakers. ($1 = 0.7362 pounds) (Reporting by Shifa Jahan in BengaluruEditing by Toby Davis)


The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Sane ‘in negotiations' with Galatasaray
GALATASARAY announced on Wednesday they had started talks with Bayern Munich attacker Leroy Sane with his contract at the German champions up at the end of the season. Sane joined Bayern in 2020 from Manchester City and is set to arrive in Turkey by Thursday for a medical. The 29-year-old German scored 11 goals for the Bavarians this season. According to German media, he had also been the subject of interest from other clubs, including Arsenal. 'Negotiations have begun with the football player Leroy Aziz Sane for his transfer to our club,' Galatasary said on social media. Galatasaray will feature in the Champions League next season having won the Turkish Super Lig.