PSG’s Enrique Cautions That Brest Will Prove Difficult Foes in Champions League, Despite Holding an Advantage in the Tie

Paris St Germain remain cautious about the collective strength of Brest, with manager Luis Enrique (54) indicating that his team is preparing for a challenging encounter ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League second-leg play-off at Parc des Princes.

PSG hold a commanding advantage after securing a 3-0 win against Brest in the first leg last Tuesday, propelled by Vitinha’s penalty and a double from the in-form French star Ousmane Dembele.

However, Luis Enrique is keeping his feet firmly on the ground, as his squad, currently leading the Ligue 1 table, aims for their maiden Champions League title.

“Absolutely, this is going to be a challenging match despite our impressive result. We must treat this game as a requirement to win from the very start,” Luis Enrique conveyed to the media on Tuesday.

“I believe the atmosphere will be one of complete support. Our focus needs to be on a unified approach to both attacking and defending.

“Brest’s strength lies in their teamwork rather than standout individuals, although players like (Pierre) Lees-Melou have their qualities. (Ludovic) Ajorque is known for pushing boundaries in his play. They can be tough opponents, so we need to be well-prepared. Can Brest stage a comeback? Our goal is to ensure that doesn’t happen.”

The Spanish coach expressed his satisfaction with new signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who joined PSG from Italian outfit Napoli for a reported transfer fee of €70 million ($73.14 million) on a contract lasting until 2029.

Kvaratskhelia has made six appearances for PSG, finding the net once.

“I’m pleased with his progress. It’s clear that he requires time to adjust; there are no quick fixes. I’m very happy with his work ethic and training. He’s a long-term acquisition, and there’s no rush,” Luis Enrique stated.

MIdfielder Fabian Ruiz echoed the sentiment of caution, despite their solid lead over Brest.

“We recognise that every match presents its own challenges, particularly in the Champions League. Every team gives their all, and Brest will certainly push hard,” the Spanish international remarked.

“We’ve thoroughly analysed the situation. We’ll need to approach the game with the intent to win from the first minute. Brest has previously made things difficult for us, and although we have a goal advantage, it’s far from over.”