Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has been making waves in the UEFA Champions League, and their boss, Luis Enrique, recently shared his thoughts on how the departure of Kylian Mbappe has actually helped the team. The French champions are on the brink of achieving a historic treble after knocking out Arsenal with a 3-1 aggregate scoreline to advance to the Champions League final.
Enrique, a former Spain and Barcelona manager, believes that the team has actually improved since Mbappe left. He mentioned that the players took Mbappe’s exit as a challenge and have come together as a unit to perform even better than before. In his post-match interview, Enrique stated, “I think I was very brave last season when I said that we were going to have a better team without Mbappe. I still think we are better, the stats are there.”
The departure of Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid last summer was seen as a setback for PSG. However, players like Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue, and Bradley Barcola have stepped up to fill the void. Dembele, in particular, has shone brightly, breaking Mbappe’s record for the most goal contributions in a single Champions League season. His assist in the second leg win over Arsenal set a new club record and showcased his impact on the team.
Despite facing doubts due to a hamstring injury, Dembele came off the bench and made an immediate impact by setting up Achraf Hakimi for a crucial goal. With four assists and eight goals in the Champions League campaign, Dembele now holds the record for the most goal contributions in a single season, surpassing Mbappe’s previous record.
Enrique emphasized the importance of having a cohesive team with multiple players contributing goals, rather than relying heavily on one individual. He stated, “Mbappe’s departure was a shame, but the players took it as a challenge. I would have loved to continue with Mbappe, but I think the players are responding at a high level… I’d rather have 4 players who score 12 goals each than 1 player who scores 40 goals.”
As PSG prepares for the Champions League final, the team’s unity and collective effort have been instrumental in their success. With players like Dembele stepping up in the absence of Mbappe, the French champions are on course to achieve their first-ever treble. Luis Enrique’s bold decision to trust in his squad and move forward without Mbappe has proven to be a masterstroke, as PSG continues to thrive on the European stage.
