PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (centre) celebrates team’s victory over Le Mans FC with teammates on Saturday. (AFP)
Doha, Qatar: Paris Saint-Germain are ready for a difficult Champions League test away to Manchester City on Wednesday, coach Luis Enrique said after the French champions eased to a 3-1 Ligue 1 victory over Le Mans.
PSG recorded their third consecutive win on Saturday after a slow start to the season, with Luis confident his side are prepared for the challenge against the English team.
“We’re heading back into the Champions League, which is a wonderful competition and we love playing these kinds of matches. Away from home and against an English team, it will of course be difficult, but we’re ready,” Luis said.
The Spanish coach was pleased with his team’s performance against Le Mans, despite conceding a goal after taking the lead at the Parc des Princes.
“It was an almost perfect result. We conceded a goal and it was tough. But I think that if we talk about what we did, knowing that we expected to face difficulties, we can say that the team was brave,” he said.
“We controlled the match, and it wasn’t easy because I have to highlight the way Le Mans played, they showed a lot of courage.”
PSG took the lead through centre-back Lucas Beraldo’s first-half penalty, but Louis Mafouta levelled nine minutes after the break.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who started on the bench, restored PSG’s advantage in the 61st minute, just two minutes after coming on, before Maghnes Akliouche sealed the victory seven minutes later.
The win lifted PSG to fifth in the standings, with the back-to-back European champions now turning their attention to trip to Manchester City.
“It was important for us to get these three points. We still need more to climb up to the top of the league,” Luis said.
Akliouche, meanwhile, was delighted to score his first goal for PSG as the hosts secured all three points following the international break.
“We know that coming back after an international break is never easy, and that this could have been a tricky match. But today, we’re happy to take all three points,” he said.
“It was important for me to score my first goal for Paris Saint-Germain. I hope there will be more to come, that’s the aim,” he added.
Akliouche said his goal came through instinct, adding that he was already looking ahead to the challenges to come.
“Now, there are some very important games coming up, and we’re already focused on those.”
