Luis Enrique's PSG Advances, Monaco Misses Euro Spot

Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique's PSG advances to UCL last 16, seeks repeat of last year's triumph. PSG beats Monaco 5-4 on aggregate, sets up UCL last 16 clash with Barcelona or Chelsea.

“The next one will be easier, no? Chelsea or Barca - not bad. But if any team is ready, it is us...”

Luis Enrique wants his PSG side to step up in the Champions League round of 16, acknowledging they still have room for improvement after a tight win over Monaco.

“We had the toughest draw in the league phase, and we're used to playing games like these against anyone,” the Spaniard said after PSG's 2-2 draw, which secured a 5-4 aggregate win. They're set to face Barcelona or Chelsea next.

PSG had a 3-2 lead from the first leg, but Maghnes Akliouche gave Monaco the upper hand at the Parc des Princes, leveling the aggregate score. However, things took a turn for Monaco when Mamadou Coulibaly was sent off early in the second half.

The red card proved costly, allowing PSG to equalize through Marquinhos and then take the lead through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, securing a 2-1 win in the second leg and a 5-4 aggregate victory.

Despite being a man down, Monaco pushed on and scored again through Jordan Teze, leaving PSG on edge. In the end, Wout Faes' missed chance meant PSG squeezed through, avoiding extra time.

“Of course we can and want to improve, but there is also always an opponent and we knew how difficult it would be,” said Luis Enrique.

“The next one will be easier, no? Chelsea or Barca - not bad. But if any team is ready, it is us.”

PSG is currently topping Ligue 1 and aiming to defend their Champions League title, which they won for the first time last season. This season, they've also secured wins in the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Intercontinental Cup, and French Champions Trophy - all decided by penalties 

However, there's a feeling that the Qatar-owned club isn't quite matching their impressive form from last season's latter half, when they dominated continental rivals and crushed Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final in Munich. Coach Luis Enrique acknowledges room for improvement, especially after a nail-biting 2-2 draw with Monaco, which secured their spot in the last 16.

PSG Aiming for Glory in All Competitions

Luis Enrique wants to win every competition PSG enters, and he's counting on Ousmane Dembele to be a key player. The Ballon d'Or winner has been struggling with form, scoring just 11 goals this season, compared to 35 last season, and has only started 14 of 38 games.

The draw for this season's Champions League final in Budapest will take place on Friday, and PSG will find out their next opponents in the last 16, as well as their potential path to the final.

They beat Barcelona 2-1 away during the league phase in October and have faced the Catalans in five knockout ties since 2013. Paris also played Chelsea in knockout ties in three straight seasons from 2014 to 2016 and lost to the Blues 3-0 in last year's Club World Cup final.

🎙️‼️ 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧-𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘: Luis Enrique:

"Emotionally Barca is a very special team for me."

"Whether it's Camp Nou or Chelsea, none is easy. I will adapt to whatever comes."

"Both Barcelona and Chelsea are incredible teams."

"We've played against a… pic.twitter.com/9fBKTtLW4L

— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) February 25, 2026

When asked how his team can get back to last year's level, Luis Enrique replied, “Just keep doing the same things.“ Simple as that.

"We are ready to play any opponents in any competition. We have had a lot of injuries, but that is not an excuse.

"There are still more or less three months of the season to go and we have the same mentality. The objective is to win every competition.”

Monaco is shifting focus to securing a European spot next season after their Champions League exit, marking the second consecutive year they've been knocked out in the play-offs. They currently rank 8th in Ligue 1 with 34 points.

“We could have done more in this campaign but it has still been satisfying,” said Monaco coach Sebastien Pocognoli, whose side are eighth in Ligue 1.

“Let's hope this experience helps us progress more quickly in the future.”