Paris Saint-Germain got here out on high in Matchday 2 of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, defeating FC Barcelona in a thriller on the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium. After securing a press release victory over his former membership, coach Luis Enrique weighed in on who he sees because the favorites to win Europe’s high prize.
With stars like Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Désiré Doué sidelined as a result of harm, PSG shocked the hosts with a 2-1 comeback capped by Gonçalo Ramos’ dramatic Ninetieth-minute winner. The three factors put the French champions among the many group of golf equipment with an ideal six factors from their first two video games.
In his postgame press convention, Luis Enrique praised his squad’s response towards elite opposition. “We performed an ideal sport. In the beginning it was robust as a result of they’d the ball. Towards a staff of Barcelona’s high quality, the primary 20 minutes had been tough for us. With our aim, we gained confidence and created probabilities. Within the second half, we improved and had been the higher aspect.”
The Spaniard didn’t maintain again when discussing Barcelona’s standing within the competitors, underscoring that each side stay among the many favorites. “They’re among the many candidates to win the Champions League. They play splendidly, at a really excessive stage, and that is only the start. Few groups have such a transparent identification. Barca and we’re each contenders to combat for the title. However within the knockout rounds, it’s going to rely on how every staff arrives,” he candidly acknowledged.
Goncalo Ramos of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates with teammate Lucas Hernandez after scoring his staff’s second aim towards FC Barcelona.
Together with PSG, solely Bayern Munich, Actual Madrid, Inter Milan, Arsenal, and Qarabağ FK have opened the group stage with back-to-back wins. Regardless of Barcelona’s early stumble, Luis Enrique careworn they continue to be firmly within the dialog for the European crown.
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What’s subsequent for PSG?
Within the revamped Champions League format, ending inside the highest eight is essential to keep away from the playoff spherical and an extra two matches earlier than the spherical of 16. PSG completed fifteenth final season however went on to raise the trophy, a reminder of how unpredictable the street to the title may be.
Requested about his aspect’s possibilities of cracking the highest tier this time, Luis Enrique saved a balanced outlook: “It’s going to rely on the schedule. Ours may be very robust. We are able to win, however we will additionally lose. Each staff we face has a really excessive stage. We’ve a tough schedule, however that doesn’t fear me now. I preferred the mentality we confirmed as a staff.”
After opening with Atalanta and Barcelona, the defending champions face a brutal stretch of opponents: Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Tottenham Hotspur, Athletic Bilbao, Sporting Lisbon, and Newcastle United — a gauntlet full of high competitors in comparison with groups exterior Europe’s conventional energy leagues.
