After a dramatic Trophée des Champions in which PSG were pushed to the limit by Marseille before prevailing on penalties (2–2, 4–1 on pens), Luis Enrique spoke with visible relief to Ligue 1+. The Paris coach praised his team’s mental strength and paid special tribute to match-saver Gonçalo Ramos.
“It was very tough”
Luis Enrique:
“It was very tough! I would say we started the match in a correct way. But in the end, OM played very well and deserved to be in the game. It was very difficult — I think they played better than us. I still need to analyse and rewatch the match, but I want to congratulate De Zerbi. Everyone criticises him, but he is a very good coach. They played very well.”
“There isn’t only PSG and OM”
Asked whether this victory felt like revenge after the league defeat earlier in the season, Luis Enrique widened the perspective:
“Of course, it’s not only OM and Paris Saint-Germain. There are Lens, Lille, Lyon, Monaco, Strasbourg — many teams with a very good level. You can see that in European competitions.”
“This team is different”
Questioned by Guillaume Hoarau about his animated reactions on the touchline late in the game, the PSG coach explained his emotions — before delivering strong praise for one player in particular:
“Nothing special. I saw that we had the chance to kill the match and score a second goal, but they were very offensive and created chances to win the game. Normally I try to control myself, but I’m not a robot — I have to release frustration during the match.
“In the end, I think this team is different. There is a different mentality. And I want to congratulate Gonçalo Ramos. He is a soldier. An incredible player, an incredible person. He doesn’t get many minutes, but he is there every day. When I ask him to come on for two or three minutes, he does it at full sprint. He is incredible. Hats off to him — it’s a pleasure to have Gonçalo with us.”
Penalties: “Not just luck”
PSG have now won five consecutive penalty shootouts (Lens, Tottenham, Liverpool, Flamengo, Marseille), and Luis Enrique was keen to dispel the idea that it’s just fortune:
“Normally, everyone says it’s luck — and yes, there is some luck. But all teams work on this. All goalkeeper coaches work on it. We have Borjita (Borja Álvarez), who is phenomenal. He gives information to the goalkeeper. I’m very happy for Lucas, for Motya (Safonov), and for all our goalkeepers. Every time we reach this moment, they perform at a very high level.”
With this victory, PSG lift their seventh trophy in less than a year, once again showing resilience, depth, and a winning mentality — even on nights when everything does not go to plan.