PSG manager talks Real Madrid ahead of FIFA Club World Cup semifinal clash | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain manager address the press ahead of the high-octane FIFA Club World Cup semifinal clash against Real Madrid.

The former Barcelona manager heaped praise on Real Madrid as an opponent, even claiming that they are a difficult team to analyse.

Enrique also talked about the high-stakes involved in the game, especially amid bad blood between the two teams.

Luis Enrique on Real Madrid

In recent years, the relationship between Real Madrid and PSG have greatly dissipated due to various reasons, including the Kylian Mbappe swoop last summer.

This has led many to believe that this semifinal clash could get ugly. “High temperatures are not good for the spectacle, but we’re used to it,” Enrique said (h/t El Larguero) about the high stakes.

“The match against Real Madrid will be special… but if we’ve made it this far, it means we’ve done something right,” he added.

Luis Enrique is ready for the Real Madrid challenge (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Enrique, though, also hailed Real Madrid as a team and even backed Xabi Alonso to succeed at the Bernabeu.

“This Real Madrid is difficult to analyze. We know they all have great quality and are very strong,” he said.

Real Madrid have indeed been in flawless form in the competition so far, emerging as the standout team in almost every game they have played so far.

This has led many to consider Los Blancos as the favourite to win the FIFA Club World Cup this summer. But PSG will be a great opponent nonetheless.

Speaking of Real Madrid’s success, Enrique also mentioned Alonso, adding, “Xabi Alonso has everything to be up to the task at a club like Real Madrid.”

Enrique deserves praise but not adding fuel to the fire heading into this high-octane semi-final clash. But that alone doesn’t guarantee that the match won’t be played at a higher tempo when these two European giants meet each other in New York.