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Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique gave a frank assessment of his team’s Champions League final win, stating that neither his side nor Arsenal truly merited the title on the night. The French powerhouse retained their European crown in Budapest after edging out Arsenal 4-3 in a penalty shootout, following a tense 1-1 deadlock across 120 minutes of play.

Enrique reflects on the 'suffering' in Budapest

Even with PSG celebrating back-to-back Champions League triumphs, Enrique emphasised how little separated the two teams at the Puskas Arena. The Spanish coach watched as Arsenal defender Gabriel missed the crucial penalty, sending the ball over the crossbar, but he refused to claim that his side had outperformed the Premier League champions.

Discussing the match, Enrique told reporters: “The penalty shootout? We handled it as usual, letting the players decide who felt most confident to take them. I stayed calm watching the shootout. It was a very difficult game, full of suffering. Neither team really deserved to win this match. But looking at the entire season, I think we earned our second Champions League title.”

Tactical challenges and second-half response

The final unfolded like a tactical chess game, with Arsenal sitting deep in a compact defensive shape that restricted PSG’s trademark attacking rhythm. Enrique admitted that his squad struggled to penetrate Mikel Arteta’s organised defence in the first half but was satisfied with the improvements made after the break.

“We’re living a dream right now, extremely happy… We had trouble finding space, but improved in the second half. It was hard to overcome, but we managed to equalise. Winning two in a row is unbelievable. Now it’s time to celebrate and rest. The players will soon join their national teams, and as staff, we’ll enjoy a well-earned summer,” Enrique remarked.

Criticism of Arsenal’s defensive strategy

While Enrique remained modest after the win, PSG’s Portuguese midfielder Joao Neves took a sterner tone towards Arsenal’s cautious approach, suggesting that Arteta’s men lacked attacking intent. The Gunners maintained only 24.7% possession — the lowest ever recorded in a Champions League final — a figure Neves felt diminished the spectacle.

“We deserved this win because PSG were the only team that really wanted to play,” the 21-year-old said in his post-match comments, underlining the contrasting football philosophies between the two sides.

Arteta praises 'best in the world'

Despite the defeat, Mikel Arteta expressed admiration for Enrique and the way he has turned PSG into a tactically dominant force capable of suffocating opponents with their control and intensity.

“I want to congratulate PSG and especially Luis because they are, in my view, the best team in the world,” the Arsenal boss said. “What they can do with the ball, their individual quality — I have not seen anything like it. It’s not part of our plan to defend for so long, but they make you do that. So credit to my players for the effort.”

As another demanding season concludes, both Arsenal and PSG will now turn their focus towards recovery, squad rebuilding, and preparations for the next chapter of European football.