Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique provided a surprising assessment following his team's Champions League final triumph over Arsenal, suggesting that neither side truly merited victory.
PSG successfully defended their European crown, overcoming Arsenal 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a grueling 1-1 draw that stretched across 120 minutes of play. Enrique candidly admitted to the "suffering" experienced during what he described as a "cagey" final encounter.
He pointed out that Arsenal's Gabriel missed the crucial penalty that ultimately decided the match. Despite the eventual win, Enrique felt that the performance on the night was too evenly matched to declare a clear winner, though he maintained that PSG's overall season justified their title.
The final itself proved to be a keenly contested tactical affair. Arsenal initially adopted a cautious, deep defensive strategy that proved effective in stifling PSG's attacking prowess throughout the first half, much to the frustration of the French champions.
Enrique, however, observed a marked improvement in his team's approach and execution after the halftime interval. This tactical adjustment allowed PSG to equalize and ultimately force the match into the dramatic penalty shootout, where they emerged victorious.
On the Arsenal side, player Joao Neves voiced criticism regarding the Gunners' perceived lack of offensive ambition during the final. He specifically cited their record-low possession statistics as evidence of their passive approach on the biggest stage.
Conversely, Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, offered praise for both PSG and Enrique. Arteta lauded the French side, calling them the "best team in the world" in recognition of their superior tactical execution and control throughout the match.
Enrique's comments offer a unique perspective on a final that, while ending in PSG's favor, was clearly a hard-fought and tightly contested battle from start to finish, highlighting the fine margins that often decide such high-stakes encounters.
