Luis Enrique Reflects on Emotional Champions League Clash with Barcelona
Luis Enrique admits facing Barcelona in UCL is emotionally painful, calling it "positive and negative." The PSG coach won 9 titles with Barça, including the 2015 Champions League. "I am not happy about this encounter," he confessed.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) head coach Luis Enrique has opened up about his emotions ahead of a highly anticipated Champions League showdown against his former club Barcelona, describing the prospect as both “positive and negative at the same time.”
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Enrique admitted that returning to face Barcelona, where he spent three successful seasons as head coach, carries a heavy emotional weight.
“For me, it is a feeling that is both positive and negative at the same time,” Enrique said. “It is beautiful to return to Barcelona because it is my home, and it is wonderful to play against them because they have players of great quality who play fantastic attacking football. But at the same time, if I speak from my heart, the pain of playing against the club that helped me the most is always difficult. I am not happy about this encounter. It is a feeling that is hard to explain.”
His remarks were reported by the Spanish daily Marca, reflecting the personal dimension of the upcoming clash.
The Champions League group stage draw, held on Thursday, delivered high-profile encounters, including the pairing of French giants PSG with Spanish powerhouse Barcelona. The matchup will not only be a test of tactical strength but also an emotional reunion for Enrique, who managed Barcelona from 2014 to 2017.
During his tenure at Camp Nou, Enrique guided Barcelona to one of the most successful stretches in its modern history, securing nine titles, including the 2015 UEFA Champions League, two La Liga crowns, three Copa del Rey trophies, and the FIFA Club World Cup. His style of aggressive, possession-based football left a lasting imprint on the club and its supporters.
As PSG prepares for the battle against Barcelona, the focus will be on Enrique’s ability to lead his current squad against a team that shaped much of his coaching legacy. For the Spaniard, the contest represents both a professional challenge and a deeply personal test of loyalty and sentiment.
