Luis Enrique rues PSG’s loss of control despite 4-2 win at Manchester City

Paris Saint-Germain left the Etihad Stadium with a 4-2 Champions League win over Manchester City on Wednesday, but Luis Enrique was far from satisfied after watching his side surrender control of a three-goal half-time advantage.

PSG withstand City response after dominant opening half

The French champions established a 3-0 lead before the interval, producing the level of attacking football Enrique wants from his team. Yet the match changed sharply after the restart as Manchester City found a route back into the contest.

• PSG led by three goals at half-time.
• Erling Haaland scored twice as City mounted their recovery.
• PSG missed a penalty in the second half.
• The visitors also hit the woodwork during a hectic closing period.
• Despite City’s pressure, PSG held on for a 4-2 victory.

The missed chances prevented PSG from restoring a more comfortable margin and allowed City to pursue a late comeback. The travelling side ultimately took the points, although the second half offered a clear warning about protecting leads at this level.

Luis Enrique warns against half-time complacency

Enrique said the contrast between the two halves made it difficult to judge the performance simply as a successful away result. While pleased with PSG’s first-half display, he explained that a 3-0 advantage can create an unhelpful mindset among players.

“It is difficult to say how proud I am because there were very different phases in the match,” Enrique said. “In the first half we showed the football we want to play, but I do not like reaching half-time three goals ahead.”

The 54-year-old stressed that the contest was never settled, even with PSG apparently in command. He felt City deserved further goals in the second period and accepted that a different outcome was possible had PSG been less fortunate.

“People think the match is already over, but that is never true,” he added. “We suffered a great deal after the break. They deserved to score more, and with slightly worse luck we could have lost.”

Barcelona await in Parc des Princes showdown

PSG, winners of the past two Champions League titles, are seeking a third consecutive European crown — an achievement that would match Real Madrid’s record. They currently lead the league-phase table, but Enrique has insisted that early-season form will not define the campaign.

His next test comes against former club Barcelona at Parc des Princes next Tuesday. Barcelona arrive after a 4-1 victory over Galatasaray on Tuesday, a result that extended their flawless start to 10 matches.

Enrique said PSG’s position at this stage is less important than reaching their best level in the decisive months of the season. “Being the strongest team now is not what matters most,” he said. “The key is being the best at the end of the campaign.”

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick offered a similar assessment after the Galatasaray win, saying football can change quickly and that his team have not won anything yet. Flick said Barcelona’s ambition is to collect trophies, with the major prizes decided in May and June.

The meeting in Paris will bring together two sides in strong league-phase form. PSG will need the complete performance Enrique did not see at the Etihad, with Barcelona’s form leaving little room for the kind of lapse that put City back into Wednesday’s match.