Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will host Premier League giants Liverpool in the first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Luis Enrique stated that the team must focus on what they can control and does not consider PSG to be the favorites to win the title.

Thanks to a brace from Dembele and a late goal from Gonzalo Ramos, Paris Saint-Germain defeated Toulouse 3-1 in an earlier Ligue 1 match, securing a victory before facing Liverpool.

As for Liverpool, the "Reds" were eliminated from the FA Cup quarter-finals last week by Manchester City with a 0-4 defeat, which means that Sloot's team will focus more on winning the Champions League.

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique stated at a press conference, "Before the match against Lens in Lille, we discussed the importance of beating Toulouse and the necessity of completing the task. Because we are currently in a very favorable position in the league, we can enter the Champions League with a good mentality. That's the job of a manager, which includes finding ways to perform. I always hope that the team can show the same style and enjoy the game in the process."

“We will try to have more possession than Liverpool. They are a very good team with high-level players and an excellent manager. It will be a tough game, especially at this stage with only eight teams left. It’s a great thing for the team as it gets used to this level.”

Enrique emphasized, "It's a positive thing to be able to play against Liverpool on such a stage, and our goal is to advance. We know how difficult it will be, but we are very motivated."

“The important thing right now is to show our desire and enjoy the atmosphere at the Parc des Princes, with the fans and the game. That’s the most important thing for us and the fans. As for the result? We’ll wait and see. We played one of our best games last season, but we still lost. Liverpool were the favorites, but we were the ones who ultimately qualified.”

Enrique continued, "At this stage of the game, there are no favorites; what matters is controlling what we can control. Liverpool is a very high-level team, and thinking you're the favorite is the best way to mess things up. In a game like this, it's not important to discuss who the favorite is. For me, there are no favorites."

Looking back at last season's encounter, Paris Saint-Germain lost to Liverpool at home in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16, but eliminated Liverpool at Anfield on penalties.

Enrique said, "We played our best in the first leg but still lost, which is unbelievable. If I could perform at the same level, I would accept it immediately, but not with that result."

“We want to play attacking football and strive for victory no matter who the opponent is. The most important thing is to enjoy this moment at the Parc des Princes in front of the fans. It’s a great thing to be able to play a game like this at home, and that will be the key.”

Image source: Internet