PSG coach compares Champions League suffering to childbirth in bizarre interview

PSG manager Luis Enrique | Imago

PSG coach compares Champions League suffering to childbirth in bizarre interview

Ayoola Kelechi 17:21 - 19.09.2024

The Spanish gaffer claimed the suffering against Girona was as excruciating as giving birth to a baby

Paris Saint-Germain kicked off their Champions League campaign with a fortunate 1-0 win over FC Girona, thanks to a last-minute own goal.

But the match was far from easy, and coach Luis Enrique made headlines with an unusual comparison about the game.

Nuno Mendes saves PSG’s blushes

In the dying moments of the match, PSG appeared headed for a frustrating draw against Champions League newcomers Girona until fullback Nuno Mendes’ cross led to a fortunate goal.

var widgetLoaderConfig = widgetLoaderConfig || { CDN_URL: 'https://widgets.sportal365.com', APP_LINK: 'desktop', API_URL: 'https://africa.football.api.sportal365.com/', API_KEY: '2f852b4de2f3a5cf3188e74b33087bb4:2c18422f8e826a7d11aeed52edb2449e', LANG: 'en', REQUEST_INTERVAL: 30, ENABLE_BET_SLIP: false, AUTHOR: false, THEME: "light", TOURNAMENT_ORDER: "pulse_nigeria", LINK_OPTIONS_V2: { 'player' : { 'url': '/football/player/{playerId}' }, 'team' : { 'url': '/football/{teamId}' }, 'tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}' }, 'match': { 'url' : '/football/match/{matchId}', 'sort': { 'criteria': 'alphabetically', 'direction': 'asc' } }, 'configuration': { 'newWindow': false }, 'standings_tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}/standings' } } }; if (!document.querySelector('script[src="https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js"]')) { window.setTimeout(function () { let scriptCss = document.createElement('link'); scriptCss.href = 'https://www.pulsesports.ug/css/sport-widgets.css?v=1668785443'; scriptCss.rel = 'stylesheet'; scriptCss.type = 'text/css'; document.body.appendChild(scriptCss); let scriptTag = document.createElement('script'); scriptTag.src = 'https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js'; scriptTag.defer = true; scriptTag.onload = function () { window.setTimeout(function () { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }, 200); }; document.head.appendChild(scriptTag); }, 0); } else { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }

Girona defender Alejandro Frances accidentally deflected the ball into his own net, with goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga unable to stop it from slipping through his hands and between his legs.

The 90th-minute own goal saved PSG’s perfect start to the season, extending their winning run to five games across all competitions.

Nuno Mendes celebrates PSG's winner against Girona | Imago
Nuno Mendes celebrates PSG's winner against Girona | Imago Nuno Mendes celebrates PSG's winner against Girona | Imago

Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, PSG struggled to break down Girona's defence and Luis Enrique acknowledged that his team was lucky but felt they deserved the win. "

Luis Enrique’s surprising childbirth comparison

Following the match against Girona, Luis Enrique said, We had 70% possession against a team that is usually dominant on the ball. I really liked our second half; the rhythm was much higher, and we had two or three chances to score."

Luis Enrique head coach of PSG. || Image credit: Imago

After the hard-fought victory, Luis Enrique revealed how tense the match was for him, delivering an unusual comment, adding, “I suffered a lot during this match, more than during childbirth, and I witnessed several, even if I was not the main protagonist.

Despite the light-hearted comment, Enrique stressed the importance of enduring such difficult games, as PSG look ahead to their next Champions League clash against Arsenal in North London. He’ll be hoping for a less stressful encounter than their last visit to England, where PSG endured a 4-1 defeat against Newcastle.

Luis Enrique PSG manager || Imago

Before their crunch encounter against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, PSG will play in two key Ligue 1 games against Reims and Rennes.