Luis Enrique is aiming to win the Champions League for the second season in succession but has a stong challenge in the form of Premier League champions Arsenal in the way
Luis Enrique insists Paris Saint-Germain have even “more powerful” motivation to win the Champions League. PSG are aspiring to become only the second team - after Real Madrid - in the modern era to retain the trophy while Arsenal are bidding to win it for the first time.
But Enrique says the chance to make history is even greater for him than Mikel Arteta’s motivation to lead Arsenal to glory for the first time. When asked how powerful the motivation was for PSG to win it for the first time, Enrique said: “Yes it is powerful, but more powerful is trying to win the second Champions League in a row is bigger.
"We have already gone down in history books as one of the best teams in the world and in Europe, and that is what we are looking for tomorrow.
“I don’t think there is any better motivation than winning the Champions League. The rest is just strategy, but we will see tomorrow and we will see who is better and who has won. We both won our respective leagues, and I am going to focus on what is good for my team.”
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Enrique did, however, insist the final is 50-50 and final balanced even though PSG are the reigning champions, having thrashed Inter Milan last year. But Enrique expects a different challenge from Arsenal but dismissed notions it will be his attacking side against Arteta’s defence.
Enrique said: “We are talking about the final and a final is always different. Last year was exceptional and I think we dominated against Inter. But in the final tomorrow, I don’t think there is a favourite and I am being honest with you, but for us the devil is in the details and it will be a very close call.
“We will have to give it all but also enjoy those 90 minutes. There is always tension, but it is about knowing how to manage that stress which is important. I would say it is not just two different ideas but two ideas that are the same, and look like one another, but are different.
“Arsenal are also a high-scoring team and we are also a team that defends well. We are looking at getting to the same destination. We have just taken two different routes.
“I am not surprised especially with what Arteta has done this year. They are absolutely worthy of winning the Premier League. They were the best team and the most consistent.
“It was not always easy with Manchester City on their tails, but they deserve the title. Arteta has been there for six and a half years so he knows the team and he knows them inside out.
“We know them well, we have played against them last year and the year before. There are always things you can fine tune. It is also about enjoying it. But for the final you never know when you are going to be back so you have to make the most of it.”
Enrique also delivered a major fitness boost for his side as he said both full backs will be fit to start against Arsenal. Enrique added: “They are able to play tomorrow.”
lascsuz
9
Arsenal shall be crowned the new Champion tomorrow.