Luis Enrique gave his star players a holiday. Is that how to prepare for a tough Champions League final against Inter?
“We aren’t boxing in the same category,” said the Reims manager, Samba Diawara, after his team were beaten 3-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in the Coupe de France final on Saturday. In truth, few opponents have been worthy of sharing the ring with PSG this season. Domestically at least, they have been peerless. The only concern is that their domination may have broken their rhythm in the final weeks of the season. By the time PSG face Inter in the Champions League final, it will have been 57 days since they wrapped up their fourth consecutive Ligue 1 title.
Since they clinched the title with an unspectacular 1-0 win over Angers, the stakes have been low in Ligue 1, especially after a surprising defeat to Nice in late April ended their chances of an invincible campaign. “Records aren’t our primary objective, titles are,” said Luis Enrique, who roused his troops for Champions League ties against Aston Villa and Arsenal. Doing it again in Munich will be a tougher task.
About Author
More Stories
Cloughie’s notes, Hillman Imps and Bela Lugosi: my glorious trove of old Forest programmes
‘Chokers? This win squashes that’: Bavuma hopes WTC victory can unite South Africa
Tadej Pogacar tightens grip on yellow jersey in Critérium du Dauphiné