Luis Enrique: PSG were also a 'real team' with Mbappe

PSG have made it to the Champions League final, where Inter await, while they will also face Reims in Saturday's Coupe de France showpiece after winning Ligue 1.

The Parisians look a more well-rounded side this season than they did last term, which many have attributed to Mbappe's exit to Real Madrid.

However, asked at a press conference on Wednesday if that was the case, the Spaniard replied: "Last year we were a real team, too.

"I said we would manage to improve the team. Players have arrived, and the numbers show the team's better.

"But we were a team last year, without a doubt. Don't forget that we also played in a Champions League semi-final."

Luis Enrique speaks to PSG TV, ahead of the two finals!pic.twitter.com/SnS87QzLQF

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) May 21, 2025

PSG have averaged 2.49 expected goals (xG) per game in all competitions this season, which they have only bettered in 2019-20 (2.58) during the QSI era.

The 4.93 big chances per game they have averaged this term, meanwhile, is more than they recorded in any campaign with Mbappe involved.

"We've scored more goals than last season, and more players have provided assists. Our numbers are exceptional," Luis Enrique added.

"To achieve this, our players need to get the ball to whoever is best positioned.

"Many players scored or provided assists, and I'm very happy not to be dependent on just one player."

PSG did average more goals (2.6 compared to 2.3) and win more points per game (2.3 to 2.2) with Mbappe than without him across his seven seasons in Paris.

Ousmane Dembele has stepped up this season in Mbappe's absence, as he has been directly involved in 44 goals across all competitions.

Yet that team-high for PSG was bettered by Mbappe in five different seasons, with the 26-year-old's best tally coming in 2021-22, with 60 in total.

Pointing to this season's Champions League campaign, which started slowly for PSG, Luis Enrique admitted his side have simply become more efficient.

"We played some very high-level games in the Champions League and lost them, like Atletico Madrid and Liverpool," he said.

"The change was when we broke the deadlock in terms of efficiency. Some players managed to get into better positions in the box.