Luis Enrique snaps at Man City boss Maresca after PSG fixture complaint

Following Manchester City’s 4-2 Champions League defeat to PSG, Maresca pointed to the difference between the clubs’ schedules. His comments suggested that PSG could rest players in domestic competition before a major European fixture, while City had to maintain their strongest level in the Premier League.

Luis Enrique was asked about the criticism ahead of PSG’s Ligue 1 trip to Strasbourg. The Spaniard, who is in his fourth season in France, argued that the league’s perceived limitations had long been used to question his club’s European ambitions.

“Before I arrived here, I constantly heard that PSG would never win the Champions League because people said Ligue 1 was not at the right level,” he said.

“Now that the club has won it, it is also because of that. People always complain, but you get used to it. For us, it is simply difficult to keep winning, and that is what we are trying to do.”

PSG’s European success has not removed scrutiny of the domestic competition. The club’s financial resources and depth have often set it apart from French rivals, but Luis Enrique pointed out that league matches are not automatically straightforward.

PSG had to wait until the fourth round of the league season to record their first victory, beating Brest 1-0. The result underlined the challenge of collecting points consistently, even for a side with substantial advantages in squad depth and spending power.

The visit to Strasbourg presents another test. The hosts entered the weekend in mid-table and will look to take advantage of playing at home against the reigning French champions.

Luis Enrique’s response was not a claim that Ligue 1 matches are more difficult than Premier League fixtures. Rather, he argued that criticism of the French competition has followed PSG for years, including before the club won the Champions League.

His priority, he said, remains the same: finding a way to keep winning. PSG’s domestic campaign and their defence of the European title will continue to test how effectively the squad can manage a crowded schedule.