Luis Enrique couldn’t resist a cheeky dig at Ligue 1, still calling it a ‘farmers’ league’ despite Paris Saint-Germain’s impressive run of Premier League conquests this season. PSG confirmed its spot in the Champions League final on Wednesday with a comfortable victory over Arsenal.
Following a narrow 1-0 win in North London, PSG sealed the deal with a 2-1 triumph back home on Wednesday night. This feat also marked a special achievement as PSG has now defeated all four English clubs they faced in this year’s Champions League.
The French heavyweights dispatched Manchester City during the group stages and went on to eliminate Liverpool, Aston Villa, and finally Arsenal in the knockout rounds.
Post-match, Enrique referred to Ligue 1 as a farmer’s league—a term often used pejoratively to question the league’s caliber—while speaking to TNT Sports.
He commented: “It means a lot, everyone is dreaming with getting to the Champions League final. Our first goal when we arrived in Paris was making history and we are in the right path.
“The league of farmers, no? We are the league of farmers. But it’s nice. We are enjoying the result and the compliments of everybody speaking of our team.
“We are a young team, our mentality, our character of how we play football. It’s nice. I have to congratulate my players because they are great.”
(Image: Getty Images)
PSG has joined Inter Milan as the second somewhat unexpected team to book their spot in this month’s final. The Serie A club pulled off a stunning victory over Barcelona in a thrilling semi-final tie.
Enrique recognizes the challenge his team faces in Munich but is keen to savour the moment first. He said: “It’s going to be tough but I think they have the same feeling. I think it’s going to be an interesting final, very difficult for both teams. Special moment for all of us, also for them.
“I think they are getting a second final in the last three years which means that they are a great team but we have time to analyse Inter deep. Now it’s time to celebrate and try to enjoy and have some rest.”
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Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta suggested his side deserved more from the tie, and were the standout team in the competition this season.
He said: “I don’t think there has been a better team in the competition so far from what I have seen, but we are out. I am saying that because PSG just told me that. Today I see how much my players wanted it because they were in tears.
“We deserved much more. When you analyse both games, the MVP (Most Valuable Player) has been the PSG goalkeeper. The Champions League is decided in the boxes, and it’s won them the game. The result should have been very different.”
