-myKhel Team

Paris Saint-Germain moved into the Champions League last 16 after edging Monaco 5-4 on aggregate, and Luis Enrique argued the performance across both legs fully justified progression, even though the second meeting at the Parc des Princes became tense and chaotic after an early setback.

The second leg finished 2-2 in Paris, yet that draw proved enough after PSG’s narrow first-leg advantage. Luis Enrique acknowledged the pressure of defending a slim lead under the lights, but stressed that the squad responded when the key moments arrived against their Ligue 1 rivals.

PSG have now advanced to the last 16 of the Champions League in every season since 2012-13, underlining a long stretch of steady progress in Europe. The current holders of the competition have also reached this stage in every campaign since 2013-14, with Chelsea in 2012-13 the last champions to fall earlier.

The round-of-16 draw will pair PSG with either Barcelona or Chelsea, with Luis Enrique insisting the squad will embrace any opponent. The coach underlined that both possible rivals possess strong European histories, yet PSG expect demanding tests after already handling a difficult path through the league phase and play-off.

Monaco struck first in the second leg when Maghnes Akliouche gave the visitors a 1-0 lead, increasing the pressure on PSG. The match turned after Mamadou Coulibaly received a red card, and the extra player allowed Paris Saint-Germain to control possession, shift the tempo and push Monaco deeper.

PSG responded through Marquinhos and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, whose goals overturned the scoreline before full-time. Jordan Teze then scored for Monaco in stoppage time, but that late goal became only a consolation as the aggregate scoreline finished 5-4, confirming PSG’s qualification and ending Monaco’s Champions League campaign.

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It was very tough. Despite the atmosphere in the stadium and all the fans, it’s a very difficult scenario after winning the first leg, said the Spaniard.

In the first half we weren’t good enough, we made too many mistakes and Monaco, on the other hand, had a very good half. We talked about that at half-time, changing to play a little more simply, and I think the second half was very different. We deserved to qualify, but we were made to suffer the whole time. If there’s one team that’s used to doing it tough, it’s us.

We had the worst group [league phase fixtures], we had to play against Qarabag or Monaco and it was Monaco of course, and now between Chelsea and Barcelona, both are great teams. We are ready, and we are used to playing in these types of matches.

And when asked if he would prefer to face Chelsea or his former side Barca, Luis Enrique added: It’s easy, either Chelsea or Barcelona. You’ll see I’m telling the truth. And the first one playing at home, here. We’ll see on Friday [Champions League draw].

PSG’s victory over Monaco extended a long sequence of Champions League last-16 appearances and showed the team’s capacity to handle pressure when reduced to narrow margins, leaving Luis Enrique confident that the holders’ experience, together with a demanding route so far, has prepared the squad for facing either Barcelona or Chelsea.