Luis Enrique Backs New Signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Shine at PSG

Paris Saint-Germain secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over Lens, while manager Luis Enrique hailed the signing of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli as an 'excellent' addition to the squad.

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique praised his team's resilience after they secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Lens on Saturday. Despite the win, Enrique expressed frustration with his team's stuttering performance. PSG's late strike from Bradley Barcola sealed the win, moving them 10 points clear at the top of the standings.

Luis Enrique acknowledged the challenges posed by Lens, saying, “It was a very contested, very difficult match. All matches are tough, and it’s hard to attack an opponent who defends so well with character and aggression.” Enrique noted that PSG started strongly, but struggled in the second half of the first period. “We started well, with control, but the real problems came in the second half of the first period when Lens became more dangerous,” he explained.

Enrique highlighted the team's improved performance in the second half, saying, “The second half was at a higher level, with more chances. The rhythm wasn’t enough in the first half, and we realised we needed to search for more depth.” The manager's comments suggested that PSG still have areas to improve, despite their convincing lead at the top of the standings.

New signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was absent from Paris Saint-Germain's squad for their match against Lens on Saturday, having arrived at the club just a day earlier from Napoli in a reported 70 million euro deal. Manager Luis Enrique expressed his enthusiasm for the Georgian winger, saying, “We wanted to sign him for a long time.”

⏱️ 90+4' - THAT’S A WIN! 💪✅#RCLPSG 1️⃣-2️⃣ I #Ligue1 pic.twitter.com/2OKRfH5Zxg

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 18, 2025

Enrique highlighted Kvaratskhelia's impressive skillset, noting, “He has experience, personality, and he knows how to score, dribble, and defend.” The manager believes Kvaratskhelia will be a valuable addition to the team, stating, “It’s a very good signing, a great addition to an already excellent squad. I believe he will demonstrate his quality with us.”

With Kvaratskhelia set to bolster their ranks, PSG will now shift their focus to the Champions League. Currently sitting just outside the playoff spots in 25th place, they have two crucial group matches remaining. Their next challenge comes on Wednesday, when they host Manchester City at the Parc des Princes.