Highest royal class final victory
© Imago
PSG coach Luis Enrique has dedicated his second triumph in the Champions League of his daughter Xana, who died of cancer. The Spaniard wore a black T-shirt that was reminiscent of Xana after the brilliant 5-0 of the Paris of Inter Milan in Munich. “Xana is always with us, we always think of you. We love her. I think she would run here among us,” said Luis Enrique in the middle of the celebrations. At the first royal class title of him, in 2015 with FC Barcelona, his daughter was still in the stadium in Berlin.
Later she fell ill with bone cancer and died at the age of nine. After the final whistle in Munich, the fans of the Parisians devoted a choreography to the girl on which Xana was seen with a football jersey with number eight and a flag. This reminded of a scene like Luis Enrique’s T-shirt when Xana held a big flag in his hand after the royal class title win of Barça on the lawn.
“It was an emotional moment. The fans gave me and my family a great pleasure,” said Luis Enrique on Sunday night. “I think of my daughter every day, even if I don’t win titles. My daughter is always with us. She supports me, even if I don’t win titles. I feel her presence. She is always with me.”
Luis Enrique was the undisputed star after the premier triumph of the French master. “He has changed everything. He has a different way of seeing football. After everything he experienced, it is great that he can experience it. He deserves it like no other,” said former Dortmund Achraf Hakimi after the dominant appearance that crowned a strong co-round of PSG.
Luis Enrique hopped detached over the lawn and almost tenderly touched the silver handle cup. His professionals threw him through the air and took him on his shoulders together with the very longed -for trophy. “The coach is the most important person in an association. He gives the mood and direction. He is the creator,” said “ZDF” expert Christoph Kramer. Per Mertesacker agreed: “The star is the coach.”
PSG dominates: The highest final victory of the royal class history
Luis Enrique not only immortalized himself in a special coaching gallery. According to Carlo Ancelotti, Ernst Happel, Jupp Heynckes, Ottmar Hitzfeld, José Mourinho and Pep Guardiola, the Spaniard is the seventh coach, who wins the premier class with two different clubs. With his protégés, he also made a record: never before had a final in the highest European club competition with five goals differed.
“Nobody expected such a game,” admitted Luis Enrique. Also double scorer Désiré Doué (19) underlined: “I lack the words, I absolutely lack the words. This is my biggest dream that has come true here – and that in my first season. We wrote history and that is only the beginning.”
Judied Doué: Once Bayern candidate, now Champions League final hero
The breathtaking show that Doué offered may have annoyed those responsible for FC Bayern. Shortly before the end of the game, the TV cameras in the grandstand in the Bayern-Granden Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeneß captured. Many fans would have liked to know what the two were talking about: about PSG’s demonstration of power in their own Bayern Stadium? About the fact that the Munich residents left Inter, but the title winner Paris had defeated 1-0 in the preliminary round? Or about Doué, which the people of Munich allegedly liked to sign in the previous year? The offensive player is the first player who was directly involved in three goals in a final in the premier class.
The former attacker of Stade Rennes opted against the Bundesliga and for remaining in Ligue 1 – and just for Paris. The club supported by crazy sums from Qatar is also said to have made the better transfer offer. According to reports, the deal came about 50 million to 60 million euros.
With a permanent smile and the award for the player of the game in hand, Doué took a seat on the press podium at night. “I can’t put it into words. It’s something magical,” said the offensive talent. “We wrote history of the club, French and also European football.” Many players in the team would have to increase, said the teenager, “and I’m part of it.”
Doué repeated his skills. The final in the spotlight of the soccer public could lift him to an even higher level. Also thanks to trainer Luis Enrique. “It is not always easy to integrate young games into such a large club as Paris,” said the coach. For the Ballon d’Or as the world’s best player, he would recommend someone else: Doué’s offensive colleague Ousmane Dembélé (28). “Only because of the way he defended today. This is a great sign of leader skills,” said Luis Enrique.
Doué thanked Luis Enrique for the support. “He has been here for two years and has written history for the club. Tactical and mentally he is a really good coach, incredible. And also as a person,” said the teenager. “It’s a pleasure to work with him. I don’t know how we will celebrate, but it will be crazy.” What is certain is that he will soon celebrate – or possibly still -: Doué will be 20 on Tuesday.
Storm of the Paris fans: lawn and gate damaged
Wild celebration was carried out immediately after the final whistle in the Allianz Arena. The PSG fans stormed the square and also damaged the lawn of the Munich stadium. The followers pulled out of the north curve onto the lawn in order to celebrate the historical title of the French master with their stars as close as possible. However, they only came to the penalty area, from where they were pushed back by police officers.
In addition to the lawn, the gate on this page also wore damage caused by the storm. The stadium and thus the lawn will be used again next week. On Wednesday (9 p.m./ZDF and DAZN) Germany welcomes the National League semi-final in the Arena Portugal. Four days later, the final of the competition in Munich will increase on June 8th.