Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique has discussed the return of former AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to San Siro to take on his old team in the Champions League.
Speaking during his press conference (via Milan News), the Spanish coach was grilled on the upcoming Champions League that could be decisive for both teams and their hopes of getting into the round of 16.
One of the major talking points for this fixture is the reception that Donnarumma is going to get from the Milan fans when he takes the field.
Enrique feels that it will be difficult for the goalkeeper but it is not something that the Italian cannot deal with.
“We worked more than talked. Gigio has already played with the national team here. It’s part of football, in history we have seen many players who have gone through it. He’ll be able to overcome the situation and stay focused on the game. This happens to great champions when they decide to start another stage in another team. It will be different and unique for him but we will try to do our job as we do every time. It will be a beautiful situation and we will try to use this environment to play good football,” he said.
As is always the case, Enrique chose to focus on the history and stature of Milan and the stadium rather than the actual form of the current team.
“I am always optimistic like all the coaches. We are playing against a difficult rival in a historic and attractive stadium. We are in a very difficult group on a day that will be important. We really want to play our game.”
PSG beat Milan 3-0 at the Parc des Princes in the last Champions League game but Enrique does not want to dwell on that result.
“We have to forget about the match played in Paris: this one is totally different. We don’t change our idea if we play away or at home: we want to keep the ball, we want to keep it more than Milan. It’s our idea, even if difficult. Milan is strong and has a great history and needs points like all the teams in the group.”
