Luis Enrique harshly criticized during press conference: 'That probably only makes sense to a genius...'

In addition to having to replace defender Lucas Hernández due to injury, Luis Enrique opted to bring on Randal Kolo Muani in place of Bradley Barcola during a pivotal Champions League semi-final match.

This decision prompted a question loaded with cynicism about whether Enrique was satisfied with his team's performance, considering the limited number of substitutions he chose to utilize.

Enrique defended his choices during the post-match press conference. "As a coach, you always have to make decisions. I keep the players on the field who are best for the team," he stated. He acknowledged that PSG's attacking intensity was lacking in the first half but highlighted a significant improvement after the break. "We didn't make tactical adjustments, just changes in intensity. Because of that, things improved after the break, and I cannot fault my players for that part. We had chances to equalize."

However, Enrique's strategic decisions were not free from criticism. Daniel Riolo, a sports analyst for RMC Sport, expressed his astonishment at Enrique's choice to leave Gonçalo Ramos, a key offensive player, on the bench. "The genius Enrique decided that a player like Gonçalo Ramos didn’t need a minute," Riolo remarked sarcastically. He pointed out that Ramos, who had expected to play at least half an hour, sat unused despite having scored eight goals in Ligue 1 in 2024, a stark contrast to Kolo Muani's two goals. Riolo argued that PSG would perform better with a genuine striker, suggesting that Mbappé should play from the left side to optimize the team's offensive capabilities.

Enrique countered by explaining his tactical reasoning, stating he preferred Barcola on the left for his defensive strength, aiming to better manage Borussia Dortmund’s right flank. This tactical choice, however, did not shield him from critique, especially given the team's overall performance and the outcome of the match.

L’Équipe, a prominent French sports newspaper, reflected this broader disappointment with Enrique's coaching, assigning him a below-average rating of 5 out of 10 for his role in the semi-final clash. Despite the backlash, Enrique remained optimistic about PSG's prospects, calling upon the fans for their support in upcoming games. He envisioned a vibrant atmosphere in Paris, urging fans to celebrate enthusiastically before, during, and after the matches as a way to bolster team spirit and push for better results in future engagements.