Luis Enrique: Barcelona ‘deserved’ final, but facing them would’ve been ‘the worst’ | OneFootball

PSG coach Luis Enrique was left stunned as Barcelona crashed out of the Champions League semifinal at the hands of Inter, despite scoring six goals over the two legs. The former Barça boss suggested the elimination was unfair, given how close his old side came to reaching the final.

The Parisians will face Inter on May 31st in Munich, but it was nearly Barcelona’s night at San Siro, as they were minutes away from securing a spot in the final when Francesco Acerbi scored a dramatic injury-time equaliser, sending the match into extra time. There, Davide Frattesi sealed a sensational comeback win for the Nerazzurri.

epa12078784 FC Inter’s Davide Frattesi (R) celebrates scoring the 4-3 goal during the UEFA Champions League semifinal 2nd leg soccer match between Inter Milan and FC Barcelona, in Milan, Italy, 06 May 2025. EPA-EFE/ROBERTO BREGANI

Reflecting on the semifinal, Luis Enrique admitted that Barcelona would have deserved to go through — but also confessed that facing his former club in the final would have been his ‘worst nightmare’.

Luis Enrique can’t believe Barcelona went out of Champions League after scoring six goals vs. Inter

“Can you believe Barcelona scored six goals in a semi‑final and still got knocked out? Most people wouldn’t,” Luis Enrique told reporters, as quoted by El Mundo Deportivo.

“They absolutely deserved a place in the final. Yesterday’s result was strange, no doubt. And, honestly, the idea of facing Barça in the Champions League final would have been my worst nightmare.”

Luis Enrique avoided a high-stakes clash with the club he managed from 2014 to 2017, leading them to Champions League glory with a victory over Juventus in the final.

PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 07: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates at full-time time following the team’s victory and subsequent progression into the final after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal FC at Parc des Princes on May 07, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

PSG booked their place in the final by overcoming Arsenal in the other semifinal, with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma playing a decisive role in their qualification.