Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique said on Tuesday his side had «no doubt» they can rediscover the form that led them to UEFA Champions League glory last season as they prepare to meet Chelsea in the last 16.
«We have no doubts whatsoever. We are entering the best part of the season and we have to be able to handle the step up,» the Spaniard told reporters at PSG’s training ground when asked if his team could return to the level of performance it showed a year ago.
PSG welcome Chelsea to the Parc des Princes on Wednesday in the first leg of their last-16 tie, where the sides meet for the first time since the England team’s 3-0 victory in the FIFA Club World Cup final last July.
That was the only blemish on a remarkable final campaign for PSG, which saw the Qatar-backed club win the Champions League for the first time in its history.
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But the demands of that marathon season have left their mark, with countless players struggling for form and fitness in 2025-2026.
PSG lost 3-1 at home to AS Monaco last weekend, leaving them just one point ahead of RC Lens at the top of Ligue 1.
They finished 11th in the Champions League competitive stage after winning just one of their last five matches, and then scraped past Monaco in the play-off round.
But Luis Enrique hopes the clash with Chelsea can bring out the best in his team, who knocked out three Premier League sides in the knockout rounds on their way to last season’s final vcfgd.
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“All English teams are exceptional, top-class teams and we know Chelsea very well because we played against them last summer,” he said.
“They have changed coaches since then and some players have too, but we know how difficult these games are and we will try to be ready for them.”
The former FC Barcelona boss, who praised Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior for the «attractive and attacking» style he played during 18 months in Ligue 1 with RC Strasbourg, also said trying to retain the Champions League title was a less daunting prospect than winning it for the first time.
«I think the first time was harder, but the second time is not easy. We all know we can win the second time and that’s what we’ll try to do.»
Published on March 10, 2026
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