Latest news with #16thFrenchCup
Daily Tribune
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
PSG's Revolution Targets Champions League Glory
TDT | Manama Paris Saint-Germain are one match from history, facing Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday in Munich. Under Luis Enrique's bold leadership, PSG have transformed from a star-driven outfit into a cohesive, disciplined unit, with Ousmane Dembele's stunning reinvention as a lethal striker symbolising their new era. Enrique's Tactical Overhaul Since Qatar Sports Investments took over in 2011, PSG's domestic dominance—another Ligue 1 title and a record-extending 16th French Cup this season—hasn't matched European success. Their sole Champions League final ended in a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in 2020. Luis Enrique, arriving last year, changed that. Rejecting the old philosophy of indulging superstars like Kylian Mbappe, now at Real Madrid, he instilled intense training, tactical rigour, and collective responsibility. 'Our game isn't about letting one player do what he wants,' Enrique declared, a jab at the Mbappe era. The result? A squad former PSG boss Luis Fernandez calls 'the best collective' since the Qatari takeover, with camaraderie shining in their semi-final win over Arsenal. Dembele's Stunning Transformation Ousmane Dembele, once a frustrating winger, has become PSG's talisman. Enrique's decision to bench him against Arsenal in February sparked a remarkable turnaround. Shifted to a central No. 9 role, the 27-year-old has scored 32 goals in 40 appearances this season, including 21 in Ligue 1, with his conversion rate doubling to 26.7%. 'Playing as No. 9 brings me closer to goal,' Dembele said. His versatility—scoring with both feet and headers—has made him a nightmare for defenders, though missing four chances in the French Cup final showed he's not infallible. Inter's Challenge Awaits Inter Milan, led by Simone Inzaghi, stand in PSG's way. Champions League winners in 2010, Inter boast stars like Lautaro Martinez and goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who could rival PSG's Gianluigi Donnarumma in what Gianluigi Buffon calls a 'final of goalkeepers.' Fernandez warns PSG must tighten up on set pieces, a rare weak spot. 'In open play, PSG are the better side,' he said, but Inter's streetwise approach will test their resolve. Enrique, radiating confidence, said: 'We've been preparing for 11 months.' Win or lose, his PSG have redefined themselves. Dembele's redemption and a united squad make Saturday's final a chance to crown a revolution and claim European football's holy grail.
RTHK
4 days ago
- Sport
- RTHK
PSG see the light in Luis Enrique's ways
PSG see the light in Luis Enrique's ways Luis Enrique works on the mindset of Ousmane Dembele and his teammates ahead of the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Munich on Saturday. Photo: AFP As Paris St Germain turned the page on the Kylian Mbappe era, coach Luis Enrique wasted no time in reshaping the identity of a club long built around individual stars and the Spaniard's method was quick to bear fruit. PSG, who have faced several embarrassing misfortunes in the Champions League, are now gearing up to play in the final of Europe's elite club competition against Inter Milan on Saturday. Mbappe, who officially left PSG at the end of last season and has joined Real Madrid, had been the undisputed face of the French club since Neymar's departure and Lionel Messi's brief spell in Paris. But under Luis Enrique the French champions have undergone a decisive shift away from a superstar-based model towards a more disciplined, collective-driven footballing philosophy. The Spaniard, known for his abrasive and uncompromising personality, made his intentions clear early in his tenure. "Our game does not consist in letting Mbappe do what he wants," Luis Enrique said last season in a documentary centred around his spell at PSG, when the forward made public his decision to leave as a free agent. "That was the old philosophy [of the club], which never won a major trophy." The message was unmistakable – and the culture around the club changed. "There's been a shift in the mindset this season," Ousmane Dembele, who has turned from an enigmatic, wasteful winger into a formidable number nine, said last week. "The coach handled everything." Luis Enrique's tenure has seen the return of intense training sessions, strict tactical demands and an insistence on collective responsibility, with no player absolved of defensive duties. His confrontational, no-nonsense approach stands in stark contrast to the player-driven environment of recent years, which insiders say often prioritised keeping marquee names content over footballing coherence. The results have been immediate. PSG wrapped up another Ligue 1 title and reached the latter stages of the Champions League playing with a structure and clarity rarely seen in recent seasons, while also claiming a record-extending 16th French Cup. When Mbappe made clear last season that he would leave, the club sought to fight the France forward's departure, but Luis Enrique was all smiles. "If I think I'll do better next season? No doubt. Because the fact to have one player who can do whatever he wants on the pitch implies there are situations I cannot control," he said. "Next season, I will control all of them. Without exception." Often derided for his alleged haughty attitude last term when PSG lacked coordination, Luis Enrique always said 'You cannot understand'. He has since then proven his critics wrong, regardless of Saturday's result. (Reuters)
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Luis Enrique's reshaping of PSG culminates in Champions League final
PARIS - As Paris St Germain turned the page on the Kylian Mbappe era, coach Luis Enrique wasted no time in reshaping the identity of a club long built around individual stars and the Spaniard's method was quick to bear fruit. PSG, who have faced several embarrassing misfortunes in the Champions League, are now gearing up to play in the final of Europe's elite club competition against Inter Milan on Saturday. Mbappe, who officially left PSG at the end of last season and has joined Real Madrid, had been the undisputed face of the French club since Neymar's departure and Lionel Messi's brief spell in Paris. But under Luis Enrique the French champions have undergone a decisive shift away from a superstar-based model towards a more disciplined, collective-driven footballing philosophy. The Spaniard, known for his abrasive and uncompromising personality, made his intentions clear early in his tenure. "Our game does not consist in letting Mbappe do what he wants," Luis Enrique said last season in a documentary centred around his spell at PSG, when the forward made public his decision to leave as a free agent. "That was the old philosophy (of the club), which never won a major trophy." The message was unmistakable — and the culture around the club changed. "There's been a shift in the mindset this season," Ousmane Dembele, who has turned from an enigmatic, wasteful winger into a formidable number nine, said last week. "The coach handled everything." Luis Enrique's tenure has seen the return of intense training sessions, strict tactical demands and an insistence on collective responsibility, with no player absolved of defensive duties. His confrontational, no-nonsense approach stands in stark contrast to the player-driven environment of recent years, which insiders say often prioritised keeping marquee names content over footballing coherence. The results have been immediate. PSG wrapped up another Ligue 1 title and reached the latter stages of the Champions League playing with a structure and clarity rarely seen in recent seasons, while also claiming a record-extending 16th French Cup. When Mbappe made clear last season that he would leave, the club sought to fight the France forward's departure, but Luis Enrique was all smiles. "If I think I'll do better next season? No doubt. Because the fact to have one player who can do whatever he wants on the pitch implies there are situations I cannot control," he said. "Next season, I will control all of them. Without exception." Often derided for his alleged haughty attitude last term when PSG lacked coordination, Luis Enrique always said 'You cannot understand'. He has since then proven his critics wrong, regardless of Saturday's result. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Soccer-Luis Enrique's reshaping of PSG culminates in Champions League final
PARIS, - As Paris St Germain turned the page on the Kylian Mbappe era, coach Luis Enrique wasted no time in reshaping the identity of a club long built around individual stars and the Spaniard's method was quick to bear fruit. PSG, who have faced several embarrassing misfortunes in the Champions League, are now gearing up to play in the final of Europe's elite club competition against Inter Milan on Saturday. Mbappe, who officially left PSG at the end of last season and has joined Real Madrid, had been the undisputed face of the French club since Neymar's departure and Lionel Messi's brief spell in Paris. But under Luis Enrique the French champions have undergone a decisive shift away from a superstar-based model towards a more disciplined, collective-driven footballing philosophy. The Spaniard, known for his abrasive and uncompromising personality, made his intentions clear early in his tenure. "Our game does not consist in letting Mbappe do what he wants," Luis Enrique said last season in a documentary centred around his spell at PSG, when the forward made public his decision to leave as a free agent. "That was the old philosophy , which never won a major trophy." The message was unmistakable — and the culture around the club changed. "There's been a shift in the mindset this season," Ousmane Dembele, who has turned from an enigmatic, wasteful winger into a formidable number nine, said last week. "The coach handled everything." Luis Enrique's tenure has seen the return of intense training sessions, strict tactical demands and an insistence on collective responsibility, with no player absolved of defensive duties. His confrontational, no-nonsense approach stands in stark contrast to the player-driven environment of recent years, which insiders say often prioritised keeping marquee names content over footballing coherence. The results have been immediate. PSG wrapped up another Ligue 1 title and reached the latter stages of the Champions League playing with a structure and clarity rarely seen in recent seasons, while also claiming a record-extending 16th French Cup. When Mbappe made clear last season that he would leave, the club sought to fight the France forward's departure, but Luis Enrique was all smiles. "If I think I'll do better next season? No doubt. Because the fact to have one player who can do whatever he wants on the pitch implies there are situations I cannot control," he said. "Next season, I will control all of them. Without exception." Often derided for his alleged haughty attitude last term when PSG lacked coordination, Luis Enrique always said 'You cannot understand'. He has since then proven his critics wrong, regardless of Saturday's result. Allianz Arena Germany PSG Internazionale
The Advertiser
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
PSG warm up for Champions League final with Cup title
Holders Paris Saint-Germain have cruised to a 3-0 win over Stade de Reims in the French Cup final, sealing a domestic treble for the second successive season, and preparing for next week's Champions League final in perfect style. Luis Enrique's side had little trouble seeing off relegation battling Reims on Saturday, strolling to a 3-0 first half lead with Bradley Barcola netting twice in three minutes and Achraf Hakimi scoring two minutes before the break. Reims were again pinned back in their own half after the interval by a dominant PSG, and while they couldn't find any further goals, a record-extending 16th French Cup win was never in any doubt at the Stade de France. PSG, already Ligue 1 champions and French Super Cup winners, now aim to win the club their first Champions League trophy when they take on Inter Milan in Munich next Saturday to cap off what would be their greatest ever season. Holders Paris Saint-Germain have cruised to a 3-0 win over Stade de Reims in the French Cup final, sealing a domestic treble for the second successive season, and preparing for next week's Champions League final in perfect style. Luis Enrique's side had little trouble seeing off relegation battling Reims on Saturday, strolling to a 3-0 first half lead with Bradley Barcola netting twice in three minutes and Achraf Hakimi scoring two minutes before the break. Reims were again pinned back in their own half after the interval by a dominant PSG, and while they couldn't find any further goals, a record-extending 16th French Cup win was never in any doubt at the Stade de France. PSG, already Ligue 1 champions and French Super Cup winners, now aim to win the club their first Champions League trophy when they take on Inter Milan in Munich next Saturday to cap off what would be their greatest ever season. Holders Paris Saint-Germain have cruised to a 3-0 win over Stade de Reims in the French Cup final, sealing a domestic treble for the second successive season, and preparing for next week's Champions League final in perfect style. Luis Enrique's side had little trouble seeing off relegation battling Reims on Saturday, strolling to a 3-0 first half lead with Bradley Barcola netting twice in three minutes and Achraf Hakimi scoring two minutes before the break. Reims were again pinned back in their own half after the interval by a dominant PSG, and while they couldn't find any further goals, a record-extending 16th French Cup win was never in any doubt at the Stade de France. PSG, already Ligue 1 champions and French Super Cup winners, now aim to win the club their first Champions League trophy when they take on Inter Milan in Munich next Saturday to cap off what would be their greatest ever season.
