Luis Enrique insists that Paris Saint-Germain should not be considered favorites if they prepare for Aston Villa in the first stage of their quarterfinals of the Champions League.
After the 15th in the competition stage with a few indifferent versions, PSG came to life by colleague Ligue 1 Side Brest in the knockout play-off round, with a no less than 10-0 margin in total.
The Parisians then defeated Liverpool tournament favorites in the round of 16, but needed extra time and fines to do this after a 1-1 aggregated draw.
In the second stage of that draw, Ousmane Dembele scored the only goal in Anfield, before Gianluigi Donnarumma saved twice in the shoot-out.
That victory also ended a bad run for the Parisians against the English opposition in the Champions League, which was eliminated in each of their previous three knock -out bands against Premier League clubs -versus Manchester City in 2016 and 2021 and Manchester United in 2019.
“The bookmakers said to Liverpool that we had no chance. Favorites do not exist in football,” said Luis Enrique prior to the first stage of Wednesday at home in Villa.
“There are eight teams that are in the quarterfinals because they earn it. We have to do what we have to do and show that we deserve to win on the field.”
PSG Forward Desire Doue echoed the sentiment of his coach.
“When Aston Villa is here, this means they deserve it,” said the 19-year-old.
“I don't think talking about a favorite is a good thing to do. Aston Villa is a very good team with good players.”
Luis Enrique: 'It will be an intense match' #PSGAVFC
-Paris Saint-Germain (@psg_englait) 8 April 2025
Wednesday's collision in the Parc des Princes marks a return for Villa Manager Unai Emery, who led PSG from 2016 to 2018, with a Ligue 1 title and two Coupé de France titles.
“He is a great coach,” said Luis Enrique about his opposite song.
“Aston Villa is a great team. They have been advanced over the past two years thanks to Unai Emery.
“Aston Villa is a team that looks like us, with many versatile players. It is difficult to know who is going to play, especially after their winter transfer window, where they are strengthened in a good way. It will be an open and difficult bond for both teams.”
The PSG boss was nevertheless convinced that his players would not lose the focus three days after securing their 13th Ligue 1 title, where they remain unbeaten.
He added: “I think we will continue to see a great version of PSG, that we will continue to play in the same way, with the same intensity or even more.”
However, PSG will be without their captain Marquinhos, who misses the game because of the suspension.
“It's no problem and this is the power of our team. Whichever player is missing, the team is here,” added Luis Enrique.
This will be the first meeting between PSG and Aston Villa in the European competition and only the second quarter final of the Champions League that contains French and English parties in the last eight campaigns after Manchester City Lyon won in 2020.
PSG will play the first stage in the Parc des Princes on Wednesday before traveling to Villa Park a week later for the second stage.