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PSG vs Inter: Luis Enrique confident of repeating decade old Champions League glory

PSG vs Inter: Luis Enrique confident of repeating decade old Champions League glory

India Today2 days ago

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique will be looking to repeat his decade-old glory at the Champions League when his team faces Inter Milan on May 31. Enrique, who guided a star-studded Barcelona to the European summit in 2015, is once again at the forefront as PSG meet the tactically brilliant Inter Milan in the final of the tournament.Speaking before the final, Enrique said that his team's big-game experience over the past two years puts them in a strong position against Inter Milan. Enrique even warned Inter Milan, and said that the opposition knew what PSG were capable of when they were at their best.advertisement"We're a team that's used to playing in finals; these are situations we're accustomed to and have already experienced. Motivation is important, but we're used to it," Luis Enrique said in the pre-match press conference.
"There are always two ways to interpret experience, it can play both ways. I think it's important to have experience, but that it's still very relative."What makes us strong as a team is that our journey has been difficult: there have been ups and downs, but having struggled can be an advantage. We're used to playing these finals, we've played against some of the best teams in Europe, and we've played some real finals along the way. We're ready, we won't be afraid."Champions League Final: PreviewEnrique, known for his stylish football at Barcelona, has been able to galvanise the Paris side, which was earlier fragmented by superstar culture. However, after the exit of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi, the side has gelled well and has played some exciting football, orchestrated by Vitinha and Ousmane Dembele.advertisementEnrique emphasised that they would aim to control the game by dominating possession, and focusing on areas where he believes his team is strongest.Luis Enrique said his primary motivation was to make history with PSG, which he called an exceptional club. He said he felt privileged to be involved in the game and promised his side would give everything for the fans.When asked to compare himself as a coach now to when he won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015, he replied: "I'm calm thanks to my maturity: I'm 10 years older and more experienced."I try to share all this with my players: they can write history, I want to make sure there's no excess emotion. I think we're ready, and I think Inter know that we are ready too."Among his notable achievements this season has been his nurturing of Ousmane Dembele into a potential Ballon d'Or winner."Ousmane has been one of the best players of the season, if not the best: he's a leader, someone who drives the team forward with his example. It's great to be able to field him and trust him to make the most of his qualities," Luis Enrique said.

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Jubilant PSG party into night with Champions League trophy
Jubilant PSG party into night with Champions League trophy

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  • Hindustan Times

Jubilant PSG party into night with Champions League trophy

Paris Saint-Germain players, staff and fans stretched their Champions League celebrations deep into Sunday evening as they finished a day of festivities in the French capital at a packed and delirious Parc des Princes stadium. Players sung and danced and waved the trophy on their home pitch as music blared and star Parisian rappers performed before a jubilant crowd. The well-wishers included tennis player Novak Djokovic, hours ahead of his fourth-round match at nearby Roland Garros, and disgraced former French President Nicolas Sarkozy. After thrashing Inter Milan by a record 5-0 in Saturday evening's final, the squad flew into Paris from Munich at just before 4:00 pm . They then set off on a triumphal procession on an open-top, double-decker bus. They were greeted along the route by crowds of jubilant supporters. Waving flags and letting off flares, they savoured their club winning the biggest prize in European club football for the first time. The players brandished the trophy and addressed the crowd as they drove. After parading down the Champs Elysees, coach Luis Enrique and his team went to a reception at the Elysee palace hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron who lavished praise on the team. "You are the champions and you have put Paris at the top of Europe," he said. "There were 11 of you on the field, but there was clearly a twelfth man the entire French public, regardless of traditional allegiances," said Macron, in a nod to his own loyalty to PSG's rival, Olympique de Marseille. An estimated 11.8 million viewers watched the game on French television as PSG became just the second French side to become European champions, after Marseille in 1993. The president however condemned the violence which had marred the victory celebrations across France on Saturday night. Police made nearly 600 arrests across France, the interior ministry said, after more than 200 cars were torched and police clashed with youths. In the southwest town of Dax, a 17-year-old boy died after being stabbed in the chest. A 23-year-old man riding a scooter in central Paris also died after being hit by a vehicle. A policeman was in an induced coma after being injured by a firework. The violence quickly became a political football in France on Sunday as parties on the right and left took the opportunity to criticise the handling of the celebrations. "Nothing can justify what has happened in the last few hours, the violent clashes are unacceptable," said Macron. "We will pursue, we will punish, we will be relentless." PSG concluded their day's festivities with a party at their Parc des Princes home ground. Each player walked onto the pitch to a different song and each received a standing ovation. Club captain Marquinhos, who joined the club in 2013, was the last to take centre stage, holding one handle of the trophy as club president President Nasser al-Khelaifi held the other. "After all these years, I can cry now, this is the day of glory!" Marquinhos said, before telling the crowd: "We love you. Enjoy it! We are European champions!" Even the club president received praise, with the crowd cheering: "Thank you Nasser." Qatar Sports Investments, which al-Khelaifi chairs, has pumped hundreds of millions of euros into PSG since buying it as an ailing club in 2011. Over the last couple of seasons they have turned their back on their former policy of signing stars such as Neymar and Lionel Messi and focussed on young French talent, such as 19-year-old Desire Doue, scorer of two goals on Saturday. PSG had lost their only other appearance in the final five years ago but after Saturday's triumph, said they had the taste for victory now. "The objective now is to win again," al-Khelaifi said after the game. "It has taken 14 years of hard work but we are building something for the future." gj-bsp/pb/rlp

Explained: Why Khabib Nurmagomedov refused to shake CBS host Kate Scott's hand
Explained: Why Khabib Nurmagomedov refused to shake CBS host Kate Scott's hand

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Explained: Why Khabib Nurmagomedov refused to shake CBS host Kate Scott's hand

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Inter Milan defender Bisseck to miss Germany games after getting injured in Champions League final
Inter Milan defender Bisseck to miss Germany games after getting injured in Champions League final

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time6 hours ago

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Inter Milan defender Bisseck to miss Germany games after getting injured in Champions League final

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