Luis Enrique exclusive: Paris Saint-Germain have ‘deserved much more’ in UEFA Champions League but ‘football is unfair’

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In an exclusive TNT Sports interview, Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique insists his side have not got what they “deserved” in this season’s UEFA Champions League so far. The French champions are outside the play-off spots with just two rounds of league phase matches remaining. They face fellow strugglers Manchester City next in a huge clash, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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Luis Enrique says his Paris Saint-Germain side’s struggles in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League underlines that "football is unfair".

PSG are preparing for a huge clash at home against Manchester City, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

The Ligue 1 champions sit outside the play-off spots in 25th, with just seven points from six games, currently on course to tumble out of Europe.

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Their cause was boosted with a 3-0 win over RB Salzburg in their last European outing back in December, but that was their first three points since a 1-0 victory over Girona on matchday one of the newly-formatted competition.

In-between those results have been defeats to Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich, as well as a draw at home versus PSV Eindhoven.

This run of form is in stark contrast to their domestic record so far this season, where they are unbeaten in 18 games and nine points clear of second-place Marseille.

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And asked by TNT Sports what the difference has been, Enrique said: "The competition is that way.

"I think we deserved to win much more than the points that we have because we deserved to win the match against Atletico Madrid, the match against PSV – our classification would be so different if we got those points.

"But football is unfair many times, we have to manage that. We are ready to compete against one of the best clubs in the world."

Enrique admits he is looking forward to facing his former team-mate Pep Guardiola as the French champions welcome their English counterparts.

City sit just one point and three places above PSG in the table, meaning it is a huge encounter for both sides.

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Win and they are almost certain to make big strides forward; lose and it could all but end their hopes of progression.

City and Guardiola have had their fair share of struggles to overcome this season. Towards the end of 2024, they went on a run of just one win in 13 matches across all competitions, a streak that means they need something of a miracle to defend their Premier League crown.

But there have been encouraging signs of late. Guardiola’s side arrive in the French capital on the back of an impressive 6-0 away win over Ipswich Town, and Enrique insists he will not be underestimating the scale of the challenge that awaits PSG.

"It’s difficult in football to have the good patch they had for the last eight or nine years," he added.

"That was unbelievable and in that case it’s always a surprise to see them in that position.

"But I think they still remain playing at a high level and they are an unbelievable team with a unique manager."

Dembele: PSG 'still alive' ahead of must-win clash

Ousmane Dembele

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Ousmane Dembele, like PSG, has also struggled in European competition despite enjoying a blistering domestic season.

The forward has 10 goals and six assists in 14 Ligue 1 games but has not been able to reflect that red-hot form in the Champions League and is yet to find the target in a so-far underwhelming campaign.

"In [the] Champions League, it's true that we have a lot more trouble, even if I think we deserve to have more points," an honest Dembele explained to TNT Sports.

"It's been difficult but we're still alive, there are two games left.

"The match against Manchester City will be difficult but in front of our fans we will try to get the three points."

Dembele, who agreed that Wednesday's clash in Paris was a "must-win", says the French team must remain consistent in the competition.

"If you win against Manchester City and lose against Stuttgart, it's the same thing, but it's true that it's an important match."

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TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League across the 2024-25 season. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.

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