Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique insists his side have “no doubts whatsoever” about rediscovering the form that carried them to UEFA Champions League glory last season as they prepare to face Chelsea FC in the last 16.
Naija News reports that PSG host Chelsea at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday in the first leg of the knockout tie. It will be the clubs’ first meeting since Chelsea’s 3-0 win in the FIFA Club World Cup Final last July.
Speaking at PSG’s training ground earlier today, Enrique dismissed suggestions his side may struggle to reach the heights of last season.
“We have no doubts whatsoever. We are going into the best part of the season, and we need to be able to handle the step up,” the Spaniard said.
The defeat to Chelsea last summer was the only blemish on an otherwise historic campaign for PSG, who lifted the Champions League for the first time in their history.
This season, however, has been more uneven. The strain of last year’s demanding schedule has taken its toll, with several players battling dips in form and fitness.
PSG’s struggles were evident last weekend when they fell 3-1 at home to AS Monaco. The result left them just one point ahead of RC Lens at the top of Ligue 1.
Their European campaign has also been far from smooth. PSG finished 11th in the league phase of the Champions League after winning only one of their last five matches, before edging past Monaco in the play-off round to reach the knockout stage.
Enrique believes the challenge of facing Chelsea could spark a revival. PSG knocked out three English clubs on their route to last season’s final and the coach expects another stern test.
“All the English teams are exceptional, top-class sides, and Chelsea we know very well from having played against them last summer,” he said.
“They have changed coaches since then and some players too, but we know how difficult these games are and we will try to be ready.”
The former FC Barcelona boss also praised Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior for the style he displayed during his spell in France with RC Strasbourg Alsace.
Enrique added that defending the Champions League crown may feel less daunting than chasing the first one.
“I think the first time was harder but the second time is not easy, we all know we can win the second one, and that is what we will try to do,” he noted.
