Luis Enrique insists Paris Saint-Germain played like a "real team" when Kylian Mbappe was part of the squad, but admits they are more efficient now.
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- PSG thriving despite Mbappe exit last year
- Luis Enrique explains what has changed
- French side could win treble of trophies
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Mbappe was the undisputed star at PSG after Lionel Messi left for Inter Miami and Neymar was sold to Al-Hilal, but the French giants have improved since his free transfer to Real Madrid last summer. Having won Ligue 1 by 19 points, they could complete a European and domestic treble in their upcoming Champions League and Coupe de France finals.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
The Spanish coach is happy his players have stepped up to share the goals and assists in Mbappe's absence this season as he highlighted the changes he made that turned them into contenders for the Champions League crown.
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WHAT LUIS ENRIQUE SAID
The PSG boss said in a press conference on Wednesday: "We scored more goals than last season, and more players provided assists. Our numbers are exceptional. To achieve this, our players need to get the ball to whoever is best positioned. Many players scored or provided assists, and I'm very happy not to be dependent on just one player.
"Last year, too, we were a real team. I said we would manage to improve the team. Players have arrived, and the numbers show that the team is better. But we were a team last year, without a doubt. Don't forget that we also played in a Champions League semi-final."
He added: "I was delighted with what I saw, what we tried. Players were criticised and exploded. We had to overcome all that. We played some very high-level games in the Champions League and lost them, like Atletico Madrid and Liverpool. The change was when we broke the deadlock in terms of efficiency. Some players managed to get into better positions in the box. We've gone from lamentable statistics to the best in Europe. It's the same version of the team but with efficiency."
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DID YOU KNOW?
Mbappe missed out on three trophies in his debut season at Madrid, but the France international is on track to beat Robert Lewandowski to La Liga's top-scorer prize with 29 goals heading into the last game of the campaign.