Luis Enrique's Scathing Critique

In a candid new documentary, Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique has unleashed a scathing critique of Barcelona’s playing style under Xavi Hernández, describing it as “long ball football like Eibar.” This revelation adds more fuel to the fire as tensions between the former teammates surface once again, particularly after their clash in last season's Champions League quarterfinals.

PSG's Dramatic Encounter with Barcelona

PSG faced Barcelona last season, suffering a close defeat in the first leg with a score of 3-2 in Paris, only to make a sensational comeback with a 4-1 victory at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona for the return leg. In the documentary titled 'You have no f---ing idea,' which focuses on his first season as PSG's manager, Enrique starkly claimed, 'Barça aren't guaranteed to dominate games; they haven't for two seasons with Xavi.' He pointed to the team's lack of defensive quality, stating, 'They defend with bodies but don’t have the quality in defense.'

Enrique's Confidence in His Critique

Confidence grew in his statements after the initial loss, as he declared, “It's a lie to say Barça were better; that's completely false.” He cited the exceptional number of long passes made by goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen during the match, emphasizing the reliance on long balls rather than a cohesive playing strategy. 'They play like Eibar. Call it the third man if you're a fan of Xavi,' he remarked provocatively.

Inside the PSG Locker Room

The documentary digs deeper into the preparation for the highly anticipated tie, showcasing how Enrique motivated his star player, Kylian Mbappé, to embrace a more hardworking ethos. He recounted telling Mbappé, 'You have to be a leader... defend like a son of a b----, lead by example, press… and we will be a f---ing machine.' This emphasis on teamwork paid off during the second leg, where PSG came out on top.

Aftermath of the Barcelona Clash

Despite this victory, PSG ultimately faced elimination in the semifinals at the hands of Borussia Dortmund. In the lead-up to the documentary's release, Enrique candidly described the encounter with Barcelona as “horrible” and expressed his hopes of never facing his old club again in a way that seems pointedly combative.

Speculations About a Return to Barcelona

Furthermore, Enrique admitted that Barcelona had actually considered bringing him back during the 2022-23 season. He revealed, 'They called my agent Ivan de la Peña. I said to him: 'Ask them what happens if Xavi wins LaLiga and the Copa, are they going to sack him?' I already knew the answer.'

Personal Reflections and Foundation Work

The documentary captures not just the tactical insights but also personal reflections, including the establishment of the Xana Foundation, inspired by his late daughter, which serves as a powerful reminder of his journey. It's noteworthy that Enrique has praised Mbappé as a remarkable talent both on and off the pitch, referring to him as the cornerstone of PSG's future in light of his anticipated departure to Real Madrid after last summer.

PSG's Project Beyond Individual Talent

'Without Kylian, the team is the cornerstone of the project,' Enrique stated. 'If you won trophies for having the best player in the world, PSG would have won eight Champions Leagues. They have not won any.' The implications linger that despite talent, strategic execution is crucial, and as Barcelona continues to evolve under Xavi, it remains to be seen how these rivalries unfold in the future.

Conclusion

Stay tuned for more explosive revelations from inside the world of elite football!