PARIS — Luis Enrique credits Pep Guardiola with inventing arguably the “perfect model” of attacking soccer. He must now outwit him when Paris Saint-Germain faces Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday, in a match both teams must win to avoid the prospect of early elimination in the new-look format.

Ahead of a crucial clash in the 2024-25 Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique delivered a clear message, praising Pep Guardiola and highlighting his transformative impact at Manchester City.

Germain's UEFA Champions League clash with Manchester City this week will not be its most important game of the season.

Paris St Germain and Manchester City's Champions League clash brings former colleagues and friends Luis Enrique and Pep Guardiola head-to-head, but the PSG manager said on Tuesday that he hopes it won't be the most important game of their season.

Luis Enrique, PSG's coach, described the Champions League clash against Manchester City as "special," praising Pep Guardiola as a "role model" and "friend." He highlighted their shared offensive philosophy and lauded Guardiola's tactical innovations.

Paris Saint-Germain (25th) take on Manchester City

In difficulty at the Stade Bollaert, Paris Saint-Germain reversed the score against RC Lens thanks to a late achievement from

It is a source of some bewilderment that Guardiola, of all coaches, should have allowed such a key part of his team to fall into decline

Paris Saint-Germain has been full of confidence before heading into its next Champions League match against Manchester City next Wednesday.

Paris Saint-Germain found themselves down 2-0 to Manchester City early in the second half, but the capital club bounced back with four unanswered goals to secure a thrilling 4-2 win.Ousmane Dembélé

Since the start of 2025, Barcelona have been a goalscoring machine, netting 16 goals in their last four matches (four against Barbastro, two against Athletic Club, five against Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup Clásico, and another five against Betis in the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Wednesday).

To hear Guardiola praising the collective of Paris Saint-Germain over his outfit shows just how dramatic the unraveling of the past couple of months at City has been.