Luis Enrique Blames ‘Bad Luck’ After PSG’s Dramatic 2-1 Loss to Atletico Madrid, Admits Champions League Hopes Are in Jeopardy

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique was left fuming after his side suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday. Despite dominating possession and outshooting their opponents 22-4, PSG were stunned by a last-minute goal from Angel Correa, which sealed a dramatic win for the visitors in stoppage time.

The match appeared to be heading for a draw after PSG took the lead through Warren Zaire-Emery’s 14th-minute strike, only for Atletico to equalize through Nahuel Molina just four minutes later. The Parisians continued to create chances, but were unable to find the back of the net. In the dying moments of the match, Correa struck at the end of a devastating counter-attack, leaving PSG reeling and with a mountain to climb in the group stage.

Luis Enrique, visibly frustrated, could not hide his disbelief at the result, calling it “bad luck” and “inexplicable.” “We were infinitely superior to Atletico Madrid today,” the Spanish coach told Canal+ after the final whistle. “I’ve been in football for over 30 years and I can’t explain it. We created so many chances, we deserved to win. The result is unjust. It’s almost a robbery.”

The loss is PSG’s second defeat at home in this Champions League campaign, following a narrow 1-0 victory over Girona and a 1-1 draw with PSV Eindhoven in their previous home matches. With just four points from their first four group games, PSG find themselves in a perilous position, sitting outside the top 24 teams in the standings, and in danger of failing to qualify for the knockout stages.

“Undoubtedly, our situation is complicated,” admitted Enrique. “I can’t guarantee that we will qualify. We have a lot of work ahead of us, and we need to correct a lot of things. But as long as there are matches left, we will fight until the end.”

PSG’s performance on Wednesday evening raised serious questions about their attacking efficiency. Despite having 22 shots and 15 chances created, the French giants could only manage one goal, courtesy of a defensive error by Atletico’s Clement Lenglet. In contrast, Atletico took full advantage of their limited chances, with Molina scoring their equalizer and Correa’s late winner coming on just one of their two shots on target.

Enrique, who led PSG to the Champions League semi-finals in his first season, has faced increasing pressure over the team’s inability to convert their dominance into results. “We need 20 clear chances to score a goal, and our opponents sneeze and they score,” he lamented. “It’s a bad joke, but life isn’t fair.”

The coach remained defiant about his tactical approach, including his continued use of a false nine, with Marco Asensio filling the role against Atletico. Despite the frustrations, Enrique insisted he would not change his philosophy. “I will always stick to my ideas. The day I fail, it will be because of my ideas, not because of the opinions of journalists or other coaches,” he said.

PSG’s disappointing start to the group phase is the club’s worst in nearly two decades, with just four points from their first four matches. It is the first time since the 2004-2005 season that PSG have failed to win consecutive home group games, and they now face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout rounds.

Enrique, however, remained resolute in his belief that the team can turn things around, even as they face daunting away matches against Bayern Munich and Manchester City in the coming weeks. “We have four games left, and as long as there are games, we will fight,” he said. “We will prepare for them as if they are four finals.”