Luis Enrique has insisted that Paris Saint-Germain was also a “real team” when they had Kylian Mbappe in their side last season.
PSG has reached the final of the Champions League, where Inter Wait, while they are also confronted with Reims in the Coupe de France pronouncement on Saturday after winning Ligue 1.
The Parisians look a better rounded side this season than previous term, which many have attributed to Mbappe's exit to Real Madrid.
During a press conference on Wednesday, however, it was asked if that was the case, the Spaniard replied: “Last year we were also a real team.
“I said we succeed in improving the team. Players have arrived and the figures show that the team is better.
“But we were without a doubt a team last year. Remember that we also played in a semi -final of the Champions League.”
Luis Enrique speaks to PSG TV, prior to the two finals!
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-Paris Saint-Germain (@psg_englait) May 21, 2025
This season PSG has an average of 2.49 expected goals (XG) per match in all competitions, which they only improved during the QSI era in 2019-2020 (2.58).
The 4.93 big opportunities per game they have on average this period is now more than they have included in every campaign with Mbappe.
“We have scored more goals than last season, and more players have given assists. Our figures are exceptional,” added Luis Enrique.
“To achieve this, our players must get the ball to those who are best positioned.
“Many players scored or provided assists, and I am very happy that I am not dependent on just one player.”
PSG has on average more goals (2.6 compared to 2.3) and won more points per match (2.3 to 2.2) with Mbappe than without him in his seven seasons in Paris.
Ousmane Dembele has been performed this season in the absence of Mbappe, because he was directly involved in 44 goals in all competitions.
Yet that team high for PSG was improved in five different seasons by Mbappe, with the best count of the 26-year-old in 2021-22, with 60 in total.
Luis Enrique pointed to the Champions League campaign of this season, which slowly started for PSG, that his party has just become more efficient.
“We played a number of very high level matches in the Champions League and they lost, such as Atletico Madrid and Liverpool,” he said.
“The change was when we broke the impasse in terms of efficiency. Some players managed to get into the box in better positions.
“We went from sad statistics to the best in Europe. It is the same version of the team, but with efficiency.”