Luis Enrique urges Paris Saint-Germain to ‘renew the squad’ moments after retaining UEFA Champions League crown after dramatic win over Arsenal

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Despite winning a second successive UEFA Champions League crown, Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique insists he will be looking to bolster his squad in the summer.

Enrique: ‘We are very lucky’ but ‘we deserved to win Champions League’

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The Parisian giants edged Arsenal in a nail-biting final in Budapest that was ultimately determined by a dramatic penalty shoot-out, as Gunners centre-back Gabriel blazed over the bar to hand victory to PSG.

But with such fine margins at the elite level, Enrique is eager to strike while his side are at the top of the mountain.

Asked what is next in the aftermath of such a momentous achievement, Enrique told TNT Sports: ”It’s a normal situation when you have a lot of quality players, but we need to renew the squad, because now we have to play for the position and get new players.

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”These are the things you need to do when you're a team like Paris Saint-Germain.”

Enrique has been lauded for transforming PSG from a team of huge names who perhaps pulled in different directions, to one who now work together without the ego that previously held them back.

And all of that unity was required to get the better of an Arsenal side who gave them next to nothing to feed on going forward.

Highlights: Arsenal agony as PSG retain Champions League crown

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Despite being one of the most feared attacking teams in the game, Mikel Arteta’s players largely restricted PSG to shots from distance.

Instead, PSG’s victory was earned from the penalty spot. First, Ousmane Dembele levelled from 12 yards in the second half after Kai Havertz put Arsenal ahead in the sixth minute, before the shoot-out went in favour of the defending champions.

It was about as dramatic as it gets as a long European campaign reached its crescendo.

However, when assessing the match, Enrique confidently insisted his team were deserving winners once again.

”The match started the best way for them, they scored in a lucky action, and after that it was a pleasure for them as they know how to defend, so it was very tough,” he added.

”We are used to attacking in that way with a lot of players behind the ball. We deserved to draw the match, and in the end we're happy to win the trophy.”

On how he felt during the shoot-out, Enrique continued: ”I've tried to just enjoy it, because you need luck to win on penalties, but I thought we showed great quality in terms of our penalty kicks as well as from the goalkeeper.

”It’s amazing. I think we deserved [to win]. I think today both teams deserved to win, but the way we've played the whole season I think we deserved to win the Champions League.

”We are very lucky and very happy and we’ll try to be there next season. Why not?”

'Their moment has come' - PSG lift the Champions League trophy

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'Anything is possible'

Indeed, why not? With a third Champions League victory under his belt, he equals Bob Paisley, Pep Guardiola and Zinedine Zidane, and is two more triumphs away from matching Carlo Ancelotti’s tally of five.

While nothing is a given in football, TNT Sports expert Steven Gerrard admits it would hardly be a shock for this young PSG side to reach a few more finals in the coming years.

And with that, Enrique seems perfectly positioned to continue adding to his legacy.

Asked if Enrique is a managerial great, Gerrard said: ”For sure, given the company he is keeping in terms of managerial wins in the Champions League.

"Let's not forget the trauma he had a few years back with his daughter as well, so to continue to be an elite manager after that deserves a special mention.

PSG play football the people want to watch, says chairman Al-Khelaifi

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”He's the manager and he's the leader of an incredible group of players. He's got rid of the ones who could have affected that spirit that would have prevented them becoming an elite team.

"His leadership, his tactical ability, if he stays and keeps recruiting, anything is possible.”

Speaking to TNT Sports, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi also hailed Enrique and confirmed they ”will be going to the market” in the summer.

”He's very, very special, as a coach, human being, as a person, he is fantastic. He's the best coach in the world,” Al-Khelaifi said.

”He has done amazing with the team. With a young team, you know the story. I would also like to thank the players of PSG. This is also for them. They all gave to this project.”

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