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Luis Enrique ‘doesn’t plan’ to work on set pieces… as boss says ‘no team in the world is perfect’

PSG coach Luis Enrique

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has said he will not place particular emphasis on set pieces before the Ligue 1 champions visit Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday (20:00 BST).

The Gunners had scored 30 times from dead-ball situations between the start of last season and the first leg of their quarter-final win over Real Madrid, although midfielder Declan Rice’s free-kicks took a more direct route to goal as the midfielder struck directly from distance twice in their 3-0 win over the European holders at the Emirates Stadium.

“I don’t plan on working on set pieces because I’ve known Arsenal for a very long time,” said Luis Enrique, who won the 2014/15 Champions League as Barcelona manager.

“The qualities and flaws that have brought us this far are the same. We want to win every trophy by playing the way we play, by defending the way we do. There is no team in the world that is perfect, and we won’t be either.”

PSG vs Nice: ‘Confidence for Arsenal game’

PSG are four Ligue 1 games away from becoming the first team in the history of the French top flight to go a season unbeaten.

The runaway leaders host fifth-placed Nice on Friday (19:45 BST), and their Spanish coach is understandably keener to progress in Europe than preserve their unblemished league run.

“Records aren’t our primary goal,” Luis Enrique pointed out. “Titles are. If I’m assured that losing to Nice means I’ll reach the Champions League final, I’ll sign immediately.

“But since no-one can guarantee that and we’re an ambitious team, and since we’re capable of beating that record, it’s important to give 100% for our confidence going into the Arsenal game.”

PSG team vs Nice

Luis Enrique would not be drawn on whether he will field a full-strength side against Nice, with the likes of goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and top scorer Ousmane Dembele potentially being rested before the trip to London.

“Everyone sees things according to their own interests,” said the 54-year-old. “When you have a blanket, you can cover either your feet or your head. You have to choose. Each coach has his own line.”

PSG visit Strasbourg – currently seventh – on May 3 (16:00) before Arsenal arrive at the Parc des Princes four days later (20:00).

Champions League fixtures: Dates, kickoff times

Arsenal and PSG have never won the competition, although Paris reached the 2020 final and their forthcoming opponents did so in 2006.

Here’s the full list of Champions League 2024/25 semi-final fixtures. All kick-off times are 20:00.

Tuesday, April 29

Arsenal vs PSG

Wednesday, April 30

Barcelona vs Inter

Tuesday, May 6

Inter vs Barcelona

Wednesday, May 7

PSG vs Arsenal

Champions League semi finals: TV channels

In the UK, the first leg of Arsenal vs PSG at Emirates Stadium will be shown live on Amazon Prime Video on April 29, as will the second leg of Barcelona vs Inter on May 6.

The first leg between Inter and Barcelona, on April 30, and the second leg of PSG vs Arsenal, on May 7, will be shown on TNT Sports.

Gabby Logan is leading Prime Video’s coverage, with the likes of former Champions League winners Clarence Seedorf and Daniel Sturridge part of the team.

Commentator Jon Champion will be joined by former England striker Alan Shearer. Find out more about Prime Video’s coverage.

Prime Video is included with a Prime Membership, which costs £8.99 per month or £95 per year in the UK and allows access to thousands of films and shows, including an increasing amount of sports content.

A 30-day free trial is available, and subscribers can sign up to Prime Video on its own for £5.99 per month.

TNT Sports has four TV channels, up to six digital or red-button channels between TNT Sports 5 and TNT Sports 10, as well as TNT Sports Ultimate and TNT Sports Box Office HD. Fans can watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

To find out the schedule for matches on TNT Sports, visit the schedule on TNT Sports’ website. Prices for TNT Sports vary. Visit TNT Sports for full details.

BBC Sport will show the action on BBC One on each matchweek Wednesday from 10.40pm UK time.

As well as its highlights packages, BBC Sport is also providing coverage through BBC Radio 5 Live. Visit BBC Sport’s Champions League homepage for TV and radio details.

Champions League semi final online streams

TNT Sports will provide live coverage, highlights and more in the UK on discovery+, with a subscription including TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment.

Viewers can stream Prime Video’s coverage on a variety of device via the Prime Video app for iOS or Android.

BBC Sport’s coverage will be available to stream via the BBC Sport website and app and BBC iPlayer. Highlights will be available from 10pm.

Champions League final 2025: When is this season’s showpiece?

The final of the 70th edition of the competition will be held on May 31 at the Allianz Arena home of Bundesliga leaders Bayern.

This is the 33rd season since the European Cup became the Champions League.



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