Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach, Luis Enrique, has asked his team to\nimmediately improve their level of play ahead of the Champions League\nround of 16. This firm request was made after Les Parisiens dramatically\nqualified from the playoff stage.<\/p>\n
The heated match between PSG and Monaco in the second leg of the\nplayoff round at the Parc des Princes on Thursday (February 26th) ended\nin a 2-2 draw. This result gave PSG a narrow 5-4 aggregate lead after a\n3-2 victory in the first meeting.<\/p>\n
P SG came into the match with a one-goal advantage, but AS Monaco\nplayed aggressively from the start. Maghnes Akliouche successfully put\nthe visitors ahead at the Parc des Princes, also equalising the\naggregate score. The situation began to favour the home side when Monaco\nplayer, Mamadou Coulibaly, was sent off by the referee early in the\nsecond half.<\/p>\n
The advantage in numbers was well utilised by Luis Enrique\u2019s squad.\nMarquinhos managed to equalise before their new star, Khvicha\nKvaratskhelia, put PSG ahead 2-1. Although playing with 10 men, Monaco\nshowed great fighting spirit by equalising through a goal from Jordan\nTeze. Monaco almost forced the match into extra time had it not been for\nWout Faes\u2019 golden opportunity in the final minutes being wasted.<\/p>\n
Match Statistics PSG vs Monaco:<\/p>\n
Although currently leading the Ligue 1 standings and as the defending\nChampions League champions, PSG\u2019s performance is considered less\nconsistent than last season when they dominated Europe. Luis Enrique\nadmitted that his team needs to improve. \u201cWe can and want to improve,\nbut there are always opponents and we know how difficult this match is,\u201d\nsaid Luis Enrique as quoted by AFP. Regarding potential opponents in the\nround of 16, PSG will most likely face Premier League giants, Chelsea,\nor Enrique\u2019s former club, Barcelona. \u201cThe next match will be more\ndifficult. Chelsea or Barcelona, not bad. But if there is a team that is\nready, it is us,\u201d he said confidently. In addition to team unity,\nEnrique also has high hopes for the Ballon d\u2019Or winner, Ousmane Dembele,\nto return to his peak condition. The 28-year-old striker is experiencing\na decline in productivity due to injury, having only scored 11 goals\nthis season compared to 35 goals last season. \u201cWe are ready to face\nanyone in any competition. We have indeed been hit by many injuries, but\nthat is not an excuse. There are still about three months left in the\nseason and our target is to win every competition,\u201d Enrique concluded.\nPSG is now awaiting the results of the Champions League round of 16 draw\nto determine their next steps in their mission to defend the \u201cBig Ears\u201d\ntrophy. (Z-10)<\/p>\n
A Real Madrid supporter suspected of performing a Nazi salute was\nexpelled from the stadium before the Champions League match between\nMadrid and Benfica at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Thursday\n(February 26th) early in the morning. Two quick goals from Patrik Schick\nensured a crucial victory for Bayer Leverkusen when they visited\nOlympiakos in the Olympiakos vs Leverkusen match in the continuation of\nthe Champions League. A narrow 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over Benfica\nin the first leg of the playoff round of the Champions League on\nWednesday (February 18th) early in the morning had to be paid for with\nthe emergence of racism issues. The Paris Saint-Germain team can turn\nthe tables and end up winning 3-2 in the Monaco vs PSG match in the\nfirst leg of the round of 16 in the Champions League at the Louis II\nStadium, Monaco, on Tuesday (February 17th). Galatasaray coach Okan\nBuruk said that Galatasaray\u2019s 5-2 victory over Juventus in the first leg\nof the round of 16 of the Champions League last night (February 18th)\nwill be unforgettable. PSG won 3-0 against Metz at the Parc des Princes.\nLuis Enrique praised his team\u2019s seriousness, which now tops the French\nleague standings after closest rivals Lens lost. PSG lost 1-3 to Rennes\nin Ligue 1. This defeat threatens the top of the standings and opens the\nway for rivals to overtake the defending champions. PSG coach Luis\nEnrique and Ousmane Dembele spoke out about the surprising 3-1 defeat to\nRennes. Efficiency is a major problem for Les Parisiens. PSG is\ntargeting a victory over Rennes to widen the gap at the top of the\n2025\/2026 French League standings. Luis Enrique relies on Ousmane\nDembele and Marquinhos. Paris Saint-Germain scored a 5-0 victory over\nMarseille in Le Classique Ligue 1 2026. Dembele scored two goals,\nKvaratskhelia and Lee Kang-in also scored, PSG returned to the top of\nthe standings. Copyright @ 2026 Media Group - mediaindonesia. All Rights\nReserved<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/psg-vs-monaco-luis-enrique-criticises-parisians-consistency-after-dramatic-qualification-1772156482", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }