- Paris Saint-Germain will face Manchester City in the Champions League tonight
- Luis Enrique said Manchester City deserve the trophies they won on the pitch and hopes they avoid sanction
- The PSG manager also said it was very hard to part with Gianluigi Donnarumma, who joined Manchester City after leaving Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2025
Enrique Defends City’s Sporting Achievements
Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique has expressed support for Manchester City’s on-field accomplishments, saying the English club “deserve” the trophies they secured in competition, despite the case surrounding breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules.
Manchester City face the possibility of serious punishment, including potential relegation from England’s top division, after an independent commission found them guilty on more than 100 charges relating to the period between 2009 and 2018. There has also been speculation that titles won during that time could be removed.
🚨🇪🇸 Luis Enrique: "I hope that everything will end well for Manchester City because everything that has been done on the field has been incredible. All the trophies they have won are DESERVED. We have to wait for those who decide."
"The case? It’s surprising. But we must respect the process, wait for the decision. If I’m just talking about the field, they deserve these trophies." (@RMCsport)
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) October 13, 2026
Speaking before PSG’s Champions League meeting with Manchester City on Wednesday, Luis Enrique argued that achievements earned during matches should stand.
“I think what they’ve done on the pitch has been incredible over the last few years and I think they certainly deserve to win on the pitch all the trophies that they have won,” the PSG boss said in a pre-match press conference.
“I think the trophies that you win on the pitch remain on the pitch and they deserve to win. I hope they can avoid that sanction, that’s what I feel.”
Guardiola Return and Maresca’s Perfect Start Add Intrigue
Wednesday’s Champions League fixture will also feature the return of former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola to the Etihad. Guardiola, who left the club in May, is a close friend and former Barcelona team-mate of Luis Enrique.
Enzo Maresca has made an immaculate beginning to the difficult assignment of succeeding Guardiola, winning all eight matches in all competitions. However, Luis Enrique played down the idea that the European encounter would already define either side’s level.
“January is when you can really see the team’s level,” he added. “Five or six months down the line, things are so different. Many teams change. But it’s an interesting match at this stage, a fun one to watch.”
Donnarumma Departure Still Resonates at PSG
The match will also bring PSG back into contact with Gianluigi Donnarumma, who left the club for Manchester City in the summer of 2025 following a standoff in contract extension talks.
Only weeks before his departure, the Italy No.1 had answered his critics with a major contribution as PSG won the UEFA Champions League trophy. Anticipating possible complications in negotiations, PSG had already prepared their response. When a new deal with Donnarumma could not be agreed, the club signed Lucas Chevalier from Lille in a transfer worth €40m.
Chevalier arrived at the Parc des Princes as one of the leading emerging French goalkeepers, but his move has not yet gone as planned. He is now behind Matvey Safonov in the pecking order.
Luis Enrique also reflected on the decision to allow his former goalkeeper to leave.
“I really like Gigio. I was very lucky to konow him and for me, it was very hard to decide what we decided. I am happy to see that he is at the same level (at Manchester City) as he was at Paris. He is a marvellous person,” said the Asturian in Tuesday’s press conference.
