PSG’s Impressive Champions League Start
Luis Enrique, head coach of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), praised his squad following an impressive 4-0 victory over Atalanta as they commenced their Champions League title defense. The match, held on Wednesday, saw Enrique adopt an unconventional strategy by observing the first half from the stands, a method he had previously used during the Ligue 1 game against Lens last Sunday.
“Watching from above provides valuable insights that I can utilize during halftime,”
Enrique shared with Canal Plus ahead of the match.
Innovative Coaching Strategy
In a notable turn of events, he descended to the sidelines for the second half despite a recent cycling accident that left his left arm in a sling due to a broken collarbone. He elaborated in a pre-match conference about the benefits of this observational approach, which allows him to gain a broader perspective on the game. This strategy, reminiscent of techniques used by rugby coaches who often watch from elevated positions, has led to more effective halftime discussions.
“The experience of seeing the game from that vantage point changes my feedback completely. I identified issues to address, things to enhance,”
he noted.
Looking Ahead
Enrique is among a select group of coaches who have clinched the Champions League title with different teams, having led FC Barcelona, featuring Lionel Messi, to victory in 2015. Looking forward, PSG is set to face Barcelona on October 1. Enrique expressed confidence in his squad, stating,
“With our players’ caliber, there are no big surprises. We just have to tighten up certain aspects of our play.”
Atalanta’s Perspective
Atalanta’s coach Ivan Jurić acknowledged the towering challenge posed by PSG, expressing limited disappointment despite the defeat.
“They’re an extraordinary team. We had a good start, but it quickly became challenging for us,”
he said, highlighting the quality of PSG as a formidable opponent.
Conclusion
This assessment of both teams underscores the high expectations placed on PSG as they embark on their Champions League journey, especially under the strategic guidance of an experienced manager like Luis Enrique who continuously seeks to innovate and elevate his team’s performance.
