Football: the Beautiful Game Paraphrase: football, also known as soccer, is a popular sport worldwide that's famous for its blend of athleticism and skill. - Paris coach Enrique anticipates an entertaining match: "The media is not well-informed."
Luis Enrique eagerly anticipates the Champions League semi-final clash against Borussia Dortmund, anticipating a level playing field. "I believe it will be an incredible spectacle for all soccer enthusiasts," commented the coach of French champions Paris Saint-Germain prior to the first leg against fifth-placed Bundesliga club on Wednesday (9 p.m./DAZN).
The experienced coach remains unfazed by the immense expectations placed on his team, which has been striving unsuccessfully to win the Champions League for years. "At Paris Saint-Germain, everything comes with pressure. But I relish this situation. It's a blessing to be in the semi-finals of the Champions League. One cannot view pressure as a threat," the jovial Spaniard, aged 53, stated before the final training session at Dortmund's stadium on Tuesday evening.
The positive development of his team, which suffered just a single defeat this year, bolsters Enrique's confidence, as they've progressed in various aspects.
When asked if he thinks his squad is the favorite, echoing the media's consensus, Enrique responded mirthfully, "I've maintained for a while that the press is clueless."
Gonçalo Ramos predicts a more challenging encounter than the 1-1 group game on December 13. "We're a more cohesive unit now than when we last faced them here. We've become a family. Not all players were available during our previous match." The attacker's reservations about the intimidating atmosphere at Dortmund's iconic stadium are minimal, "It's always difficult to play here. However, if you're aspiring to claim trophies, you must withstand circumstances like these."
Ramos observes no unusual nervousness from his teammate Ousmane Dembélé, who anticipates a potentially rocky reception in the aftermath of his controversial transfer from Dortmund in 2017. "He's very tranquil. I hope he'll turn the tide in this tie."
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Source: www.stern.de
