Luis Enrique insists Paris Saint-Germain should not be considered favourites as they prepare to face Aston Villa in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
After finishing 15th in the league stage with some indifferent performances, PSG came to life by drubbing fellow Ligue 1 side Brest in the knockout play-off round, winning by a whopping 10-0 margin on aggregate.
The Parisians then defeated tournament favourites Liverpool in the round of 16 but required extra-time and penalties to do so after a 1-1 aggregate draw.
The second leg of that tie saw Ousmane Dembele score the only goal at Anfield, before Gianluigi Donnarumma saved twice in the shoot-out.
That victory also ended a poor run for the Parisians against English opposition in the Champions League, having been knocked out in each of their previous three knockout ties against Premier League clubs — versus Manchester City in 2016 and 2021, and Manchester United in 2019.
“Against Liverpool, the bookmakers said we had no chance. In football, favourites do not exist,” Luis Enrique said ahead of Wednesday's first leg at home to Villa.
“There are eight teams that are in the quarter-finals because they deserve it. We need to do what we have to do and show that we deserve to win on the field.”
PSG forward Desire Doue echoed his coach’s sentiment.
“If Aston Villa are here, it means they deserve it,” the 19-year-old said.
“I don't think talking about a favourite is a good thing to do. Aston Villa are a very good team with good players.”
Wednesday's clash at the Parc des Princes marks a return for Villa manager Unai Emery, who led PSG from 2016 to 2018, winning a Ligue 1 title and two Coupe de France titles.
“He is a great coach,” Luis Enrique said of his opposite number.
“Aston Villa are a great team. They progressed in the last two years thanks to Unai Emery.
“Aston Villa are a team that looks like us, with many versatile players. It's difficult to know who is going to play, especially after their winter transfer window, where they strengthened in a good way. It will be an open and difficult tie for both teams.”
The PSG boss was nonetheless confident that his players would not lose focus three days after securing their 13th Ligue 1 title, where they remain unbeaten.
He added: “I think we will keep seeing a great version of PSG, that we will keep playing the same way, with the same intensity or even more.”
PSG will, however, be without their captain Marquinhos, who misses the game due to suspension.
“It's not a big deal and this is our team's strength. Whichever player misses out, the team is here," Luis Enrique added.
This will be the first meeting between PSG and Aston Villa in European competition, and just the second Champions League quarter-final to feature French and English sides in the last eight campaigns after Manchester City won over Lyon in 2020.
PSG play the first leg at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday before travelling to Villa Park for the second leg a week later.