Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique joked that his team comes from the “league of farmers” following their Champions League success over Arsenal on Wednesday night.
The Ligue 1 champions saw off a valiant Gunners’ side to reach a second final in five years, as the PSG boss looks to replicate his success in the competition 10 years on from his victorious campaign with Barcelona.
Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi goals added to the advantage given to them by Ousmane Dembele‘s solitary strike in the first leg, as PSG booked their place in Munich, winning 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-final.
Inter Milan await at the Allianz Arena on May 31, as PSG seek to win the competition for the first time, in what will be their second ever appearance in the final.
One positive omen has already cropped up for Enrique’s men too, because the only previous French-Italian final in the competition was also played in Munich, back in 1993, and the French side on that occasion were victorious, as Marseille beat AC Milan 1-0.
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Enrique pokes fun at perceptions of PSG
A jubilant Enrique was unsurprisingly in high spirits when speaking to TNT Sports post-match, and after praising the work ethic and performance of his players, he showed a lighter side, responding jovially to a statement read out to him by interviewer Becky Ives.
After it was brought up that PSG had now beaten all four Premier League clubs that had participated in this season’s competition, a smiling Enrique delivered a quip that will reverberate around the English media.
“The league of farmers, no? We are the league of farmers!” Enrique jestered.
“We are the league of farmers” 🤣
Luis Enrique couldn’t help but laugh after being told his PSG team have beaten all four Premier League teams they’ve faced in the Champions League this season 😅
🎙@Becky_Ives_ | 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/84jVlnIq3B
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 7, 2025
This will be in response to the comments made about the standard of Ligue 1, which often play down its competitiveness, and has been linked to why PSG often struggle at the business end of the Champions League.
The PSG boss was quick to show his appreciation for the love he and his players have received from the media and pundits alike though, especially from those in England following the previous three rounds which have seen them knock Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal out.
“It’s nice, we are enjoying not only the results, but also the compliments of everybody speaking about our team.” Enrique added.
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PSG’s English adventure to the final
It has been the exuberance of youth that has caught the eye of many onlookers this season when it comes to PSG, and the fact they have faced all four Premier League sides means they have received plenty of attention on these shores.
Harking back to their 4-2 win over Manchester City in the league phase, it is remarkable to think had they lost that game, elimination was almost certain, and they trailed 2-0 on the hour mark.
After progressing in 15th place in the league phase and seeing off Brest 10-0 on aggregate, PSG then came up against competition favourites Liverpool, and despite an utterly dominant performance at the Parc des Princes, they lost the first leg 1-0, but rallied to win 1-0 at Anfield before coming out on top in a penalty shootout.
PSG were 5-1 up on aggregate early into the second leg of the quarter-final with Aston Villa, and just about hung on to reach the semi-finals, where they were much more comfortable, leading from the fourth minute of the first leg and not once giving it up against Arsenal, who had no answer for their scintillating attacking talent.
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