PSG showed 'personality & character' in comeback win over Villa in QF first leg, says Enrique

IANS April 10, 2025 128 views

Paris Saint-Germain delivered a remarkable performance in their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Aston Villa. Despite conceding an early goal, the team demonstrated exceptional resilience and tactical prowess. Luis Enrique praised his squad's mental strength after scoring three stunning goals to take a commanding 3-1 lead. The victory sets PSG in a strong position to advance to the next round of the prestigious European competition.

"The team showed personality and character" - Luis Enrique
Paris, April 10: Paris Saint-Germain's coach Luis Enrique said his team showed "personality and character" in the convincing 3-1 win over Aston Villa in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals at the Parc des Princes.

Key Points

1

PSG staged impressive comeback after conceding early goal

2

Trio of spectacular goals secured significant quarterfinal advantage

3

Nuno Mendes scores crucial goal with tactical brilliance

4

Villa stunned at Parc des Princes

Paris hit back with three superb goals to overturn Morgan Rogers' neat opener and give the Ligue 1 side a 3-1 first-leg lead in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Aston Villa.

"What I enjoyed the most was the mentality. Because I think we started the game very well, we played as we usually do but football is like that and they scored a goal. It was a particularly difficult moment for our confidence. It was kind of a moment of doubt.

"But I think in the end, the team showed personality and character. We're happy because the result is very good, but we'll have to have the right mentality to try and win the second game," Enrique said in the post-match press conference.

"We always say that when you play a match of this importance, you have to control your emotions. It's important because these games have ups and downs. I think the team showed the mentality and character it always has," he added.

A trio of stunning strikes from Desire Doue, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Nuno Mendes earned a comeback success for PSG after Villa stunned the Parc des Princes with Morgan Rogers' 35th-minute opener.

Mendes, the third goalscorer in PSG' win said, "The two-goal lead gives us confidence, but there is another match. We need to rest a bit, keep going for the next game and do the same thing we did today."

"My goal? I saw that the keeper was a bit close, so I tried to do something different and it worked, so I'm very happy about that. We know that the fans are always there, they've been there from the start. Every minute, we know we can count on them and that's what we're going to do," he added.

Reader Comments

J
James K.
What a comeback from PSG! Those goals were absolute bangers 🔥 Kvaratskhelia's strike was my favorite - that man is pure magic with the ball at his feet.
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Sarah L.
Enrique's right about the mentality shift. First 30 mins were shaky but they really turned it around. Still think Villa have a chance at home though - that away goal could be crucial.
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Miguel R.
As a Villa fan, this hurts but credit where it's due - PSG's quality showed in the end. That Mendes goal was world class. We'll need a miracle at Villa Park now.
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Aisha T.
Respectful criticism: PSG's defense still looks vulnerable on counters. Better teams will punish those early mistakes. But the attacking firepower is undeniable!
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Thomas B.
Doué is becoming one of my favorite players to watch. Only 19 and playing with such maturity in big games. Future Ballon d'Or contender if he keeps developing like this.
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Lena P.
The Parc des Princes atmosphere sounded electric! That's what Champions League nights are all about. Can't wait for the second leg âš½

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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