PSG head coach Luis Enrique hasn’t hidden his emotions when it comes to his former club, Barcelona.
As the Champions League semi-final clash between Inter Milan and Barcelona draws closer, Enrique admits he’s already feeling the intensity. While he refrains from picking a favorite for the final, the Spanish coach openly expresses his enduring affection for Barça.
Barcelona will visit Inter’s home ground for the second leg of the semi-final on Tuesday. The first leg in Spain ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Meanwhile, in the other semi-final, PSG are set to face Arsenal on Wednesday. The French side carries a 1-0 lead from the first leg in London.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Enrique was asked who he would prefer to see in the final—Inter or Barcelona. The PSG boss shared his candid thoughts:
“I’m sweating just thinking about this semi-final (wiping his forehead), not tomorrow’s, but today’s. My only focus in these two semi-finals is getting PSG to the final. If we don’t make it, then I wish both teams the very best in reaching the final.”
“Obviously, I have a past that I’m proud of, and my love for Barcelona will never fade.”
Under Enrique’s management, Barcelona won the 2014-15 Champions League by defeating Juventus 3-1 in the final. That same season, the Catalan club completed a historic treble. Since then, they haven’t made it back to a Champions League final.