FOOTBALL
Luis Enrique taking no risks ahead of Brest showdown
Luis Enrique dismissed any notion of over-confidence ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League clash at Brest.
The first leg of the knockout phase play-off tie will take place in a sold-out venue in Guingamp, where Brest are hosting the match due to UEFA stadium regulations.
PSG are flying high in Ligue 1, and only recently hammered Brest 5-2.
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Indeed, they are unbeaten in their last 30 matches against Brest across all competitions (W22 D8), with their last defeat against them coming in January 1985.
However, Luis Enrique is taking nothing for granted.
"They were one of the best teams in France last season," he told reporters on Monday.
"Their reward was playing in the Champions League, and they qualified with impressive performances.
"In football terms, I don't know what will happen on Tuesday. We are all aware of the importance of this match and what it means for the club.
"The best-playing team doesn't always win. Brest can score goals against us, and we want to play as well as possible and prepare in the best way."
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) February 10, 2025
Luis Enrique made it clear that PSG must approach the clash with full focus due to the unpredictability of knockout stages, with the return leg at Parc des Princes on February 19.
"We are aware that this is a different two-legged tie because it’s between two French clubs, and only one will go through. We are favourites, but football is full of surprises," he said.
"The Champions League is an important competition for us. It’s two matches of 90 minutes. We have to win, we have no choice. We are focused on trying to win."
The Spaniard also highlighted winger Ousmane Dembele as a key player for the match.
"He is brilliant at finding space and finishing in one touch. It’s great to be part of a team where these qualities come together," Luis Enrique added.
Brest lost just one of their four home games in the league phase of this season's Champions League (W2 D1), their final match against Real Madrid (0-3).
They are the first French side to make it past the first round of the European Cup/Champions League in their debut campaign in major European competition since Nice reached the quarter-final in 1956-57.
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