Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique did not enjoy the end to end nature of their 2-1 defeat to Milan, noting it was ‘more like tennis than football,’ but considers this ‘the toughest group in the Champions League.’
The Ligue 1 side had won the reverse fixture 3-0 at Parc des Princes and thought they were on the right track this evening at San Siro when Milan Skriniar was left unmarked to meet a flicked-on corner at the back post.
However, the acrobatic Rafael Leao bicycle kick and towering Olivier Giroud header turned things around.
“I liked the way we played, as we scored the first goal and had many other opportunities,” said Luis Enrique in his press conference.
“The only problem is that we helped the game become crazy. It was meant to be a football match, not tennis. It was just end to end, attack against attack. I did not like that.”
The fans certainly enjoyed it, as both Mike Maignan and Gianluigi Donnarumma were forced into tough saves to keep the scoreline down, then Lee Kang-in clipped the upright in stoppages.
“Kylian Mbappé was clear on goal two or three times, so was Ousmane Dembele. After they took the lead, Milan clammed up in defence and it became very difficult. It was a pretty balanced game.
“I saw two fairly similar teams. I prefer more control of the initiative, but it was more end to end.”
This was a tough night for Donnarumma, who was making his first return to San Siro as an opponent since the free transfer in 2021.
The crowd constantly jeered him and printed up thousands of fake bank notes to throw at him.
“He has a lot of experience, a strong character,” assured Luis Enrique.
“Football is passion, the fans showed what their position was. The atmosphere can only be like that when there was affection for a player. He had a great game.”
The group is now wide open, as Borussia Dortmund are on seven points, PSG six, Milan five and Newcastle United four.
Luis Enrique was asked if Milan can be considered among the top sides in Europe, especially as they reached the semi-finals last season.
“Of course! Obviously! This is such a strong group that there are two games to go and all four teams could still qualify for the Round of 16. It is the toughest group in the Champions League.
“It’s a pity for us, because if we had won, we’d be practically qualified.”