Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique has labelled Wednesday’s Club World Cup semi-final against Real Madrid as a “special” occasion, while brushing aside any talk of past tensions with Kylian Mbappe ahead of a reunion with the French superstar.
Enrique managed Mbappe during his final season at PSG — a campaign marked by controversy after the forward was initially frozen out for refusing to sign a new contract and later used sparingly once his departure was confirmed.
“All I can say is that belongs in the past. It is behind us now,” Enrique said during a press conference at MetLife Stadium, just outside New York, the venue for the highly anticipated encounter.
“Many things make this a special game. It’s a Club World Cup semi-final, which gives it significance. Playing against Real Madrid is always special, and we’re proud to be in this position — it shows we’ve done things well.”
PSG travel to the United States fresh from lifting the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history, a landmark triumph achieved in the first season since Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid.
“We are very close to playing in another final, and that is a real source of motivation,” Enrique added. However, he will be without key defenders Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez, both suspended after red cards in the quarter-final victory over Bayern Munich.
While PSG aim to cap off a silverware-filled season with one more trophy, the match signals the beginning of a new chapter for Real Madrid under recently appointed head coach Xabi Alonso.
“It’s difficult to analyse Real Madrid right now because Xabi is just starting his journey there,” said Enrique, a former Barcelona player and manager who also spent time at Real Madrid during his playing career.
“For me, it’s always a pleasure to play against Madrid. They are the most successful club in the world, and Xabi has everything it takes to succeed.”
Real coach Xabi Alonso did not speak to media on Tuesday after the Spanish side’s flight from Florida was delayed by storms.
The winner of Wednesday’s clash will face Chelsea in Sunday’s final, after the Premier League side booked their place with a 2-0 win over Brazilian outfit Fluminense.