PSG's Luis Enrique Targets Champions League Playoffs after Reims Draw

Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Paris St Germain v AS Saint-Etienne - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - January 12, 2025 Paris St Germain coach Luis Enrique applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo
Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Paris St Germain v AS Saint-Etienne - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - January 12, 2025 Paris St Germain coach Luis Enrique applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo
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PSG's Luis Enrique Targets Champions League Playoffs after Reims Draw

Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Paris St Germain v AS Saint-Etienne - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - January 12, 2025 Paris St Germain coach Luis Enrique applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo
Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Paris St Germain v AS Saint-Etienne - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - January 12, 2025 Paris St Germain coach Luis Enrique applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo

Paris St Germain coach Luis Enrique has quickly turned his attention to Champions League qualification after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Stade de Reims in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

The Spaniard knows the capital club face a tough challenge at VfB Stuttgart in the final game of the first phase on Wednesday after giving themselves a chance of a playoff spot with a 4-2 home win over Manchester City in midweek.

Regarding PSG's display at home to mid-table Reims, Luis Enrique told a press conference: "I have nothing to question my players (about). I don't think that in terms of energy the team was bad. In fact, I think it was good, Reuters reported.

"I think we have fulfilled the objective of managing this week in the best way to be prepared. Now we have to play this next Champions League game to confirm our qualification - to win or at least draw it. That's the objective," he added.

Saturday's draw took PSG 10 points clear atop Ligue 1 and Luis Enrique was quick to praise new signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after his first game with the French champions.

"It's clear that it's a new situation for him, but it's his first game, I hope, out of many, I think he was in a positive line," said the Spaniard after Kvaratskhelia got an assist.

"He's a player who usually has the ball a lot more than the opposition and can help us generate superiority, which is a happy and fortunate thing for me as a coach."



Spain Extends Contract of National Team Coach Luis de la Fuente until 2028

Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente monitors a training session in Donaueschingen, Germany, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, file)
Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente monitors a training session in Donaueschingen, Germany, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, file)
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Spain Extends Contract of National Team Coach Luis de la Fuente until 2028

Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente monitors a training session in Donaueschingen, Germany, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, file)
Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente monitors a training session in Donaueschingen, Germany, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, file)

Spain's national team coach Luis de la Fuente has extended his contract until 2028 after leading the team to last year's European Championship title.

The Spanish soccer federation said Monday that it is “renewing its confidence” in the 63-year-old De la Fuente, who started coaching the nation's youth squads in 2013 and took over the senior team after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to replace Luis Enrique, The AP reported.

De la Fuente is the first Spain coach to win the European Championship at three different levels after also leading the country to the Under-19 and Under-21 titles.

The new contract will keep the former player in charge of La Roja during the 2026 World Cup and Euro 2028.