Laporta praises Luis Enrique’s PSG identity before Barcelona showdown
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has hailed Luis Enrique’s impact at Paris Saint-Germain ahead of the Champions League meeting at the Parc des Princes, calling the tie a major test for Hansi Flick’s side.
Laporta believes PSG have developed a clear identity under their Spanish coach, whose methods he feels retain elements of Barcelona’s traditional football culture. Enrique, a former Barca player and manager, has reshaped the French champions with a possession-focused, aggressive pressing approach.
“There is something of the original Barca style in the way his teams play,” Laporta said. “PSG’s success came with Enrique because he imposed his personality. When he chose to make changes, it happened immediately. Nasser deserves credit for backing him, and so does Luis Campos.”
Enrique sees two sides with similar ideas
Enrique has also identified strong similarities between PSG and Barcelona. Both teams seek to press high, control territory through the ball and force opponents into defensive phases.
PSG’s coach has made clear that keeping possession will be central to limiting Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal. The plan reflects the principles Enrique learned and developed during his time at Camp Nou before taking them to Paris.
What happens next: Barcelona travel to the Parc des Princes for a Champions League clash that Laporta sees as a serious measure of Flick’s revived team against one of Europe’s leading sides.
Laporta says PSG relationship has changed
The fixture comes after years of friction between the clubs, particularly following Neymar’s record move from Barcelona to PSG in 2017 and Lionel Messi’s switch to Paris in 2021.
Laporta, however, says relations between the two presidents are now markedly better. He described his connection with PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi as friendly and based on mutual respect, rather than the public disputes and legal threats that surrounded earlier eras.
“With Nasser, I can say our relationship is one of friendship,” Laporta said. “There is a great deal of respect. He runs the ECA brilliantly, as PSG do.”
European benchmark for Flick’s Barcelona
Barcelona’s strong start in La Liga has increased belief around the club, but Laporta considers the Paris trip a more definitive gauge of their status. He views PSG as an opponent capable of confirming whether Barca are again among football’s reference clubs, despite the financial restrictions that have affected their transfer-market strength.
Laporta is confident Barcelona can compete on the biggest European nights while recognising the threat posed by Enrique’s organised PSG.
The Barca president has also defended La Liga’s standing and praised league chief Javier Tebas for withstanding outside pressure. Laporta believes that domestic stability has helped provide the platform for Barcelona’s renewed confidence in Europe.
