PARIS – The defending champions are through, but it wasn’t easy. Paris Saint-Germain secured their place in the Champions League Round of 16 on Wednesday night, surviving a late scare against Monaco to advance 5-4 on aggregate after a 2-2 draw at the Parc des Princes.
A Tale of Two Halves
Despite carrying a lead from the first leg, PSG looked uncharacteristically shaky in the opening 45 minutes, heading into the break a goal down. Coach Luis Enrique was blunt in his assessment of the performance:
“Did I like what I saw? No, I didn’t,” Enrique admitted post-match. “We were very imprecise in the first half. That’s the Champions League—you have to accept the struggle.”
The Parisians found their rhythm in the second half, scoring twice to take control of the night. However, a late Monaco goal turned the final minutes into a nervy survival act for the holders.
The “Toughest Path” in Europe
Enrique was quick to defend his side’s form by pointing to their unprecedented schedule. In a season where PSG has already faced a “Gauntlet of Giants”—including Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Bayer Leverkusen—the Spaniard believes his team is the most battle-hardened in the competition.
“If there’s one team that has played against the best and survived the toughest group, it’s clearly us,” Enrique stated. “We are used to this level. To win this trophy, you need to know how to compete, and we are experts at that.”
The Road Ahead: Chelsea or Barcelona?
The drama doesn’t stop here. PSG now turns their attention to Friday’s draw, where they are guaranteed a heavyweight clash against either Chelsea or Barcelona.
When asked about the looming threat of his former club or the London giants, Enrique ended the night with a sarcastic grin: “Next time it will be even easier with Chelsea or Barca, right? But if there is one team ready for it, it’s ours.”
Match Facts: PSG vs. Monaco
Result: PSG 2-2 Monaco (5-4 Aggregate)
Key Stat: All seven of PSG’s group-stage opponents have also qualified for the Last 16, validating Enrique’s “toughest schedule” claim.
What’s Next: UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw this Friday.
