‘I suffered more than during childbirth’ – Luis Enrique on PSG’s hard-fought victory over Girona

Paris Saint-Germain were closing in on a disappointing start to their Champions League campaign when Nuno Mendes (22) helped nudge Les Parisiens over the line against a resilient FC Girona

In the 90th minute, the Portuguese fullback’s hopeful last-ditch cross was inadvertently deflected by Alejandro Francés (22) and slipped through Paulo Gazzaniga’s (32) hands. It was enough to secure a 1-0 victory at the Parc des Princes and stretch PSG’s winning start to the season to five games across all competitions.

The goal was certainly fortunate for PSG, but to Luis Enrique, his side had done enough to earn that luck. “We had 70% possession against a team that usually has the ball and that I think can qualify for the next stage of the competition. I really liked our second half, the technical and physical rhythm was much higher than Girona’s and we had two or three chances to score. Girona felt it.” 

However, the manager admitted that he and his side were forced to “suffer” throughout the match. “I suffered a lot during this match, more than during childbirth and I witnessed several even if I was not the main protagonist.”

Luis Enrique’s squad return to England for 1st of October showdown 

PSG will have two weeks before their next outing in Europe where the French champions will arrive in North London to face Arsenal. The club will be hoping for happier memories than their last time in England when they were shocked by a 4-1 defeat. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland