Luis Enrique, coach of Paris Saint-Germain, projected that his new-look team will step up a gear in February now that they have qualified for the Champions League knockout phase.
The French champions have moved on from the Latin American star duo of Neymar and Lionel Messi, and new manager Luis Enrique has constructed a youthful and disciplined lineup led by Kylian Mbappe.
The Qatar-owned team is currently cultivating a less star-driven approach to recruitment.
The former Barcelona and Spain coach claimed that the Ligue 1 leaders would perform even better following the winter break, having “grown” in their Champions League group battle.
“I have no doubt that we will be better, all my teams have been better over time,” he went on to say.
“By then, big players will have returned from injury, and we are already among the best in the Champions League, whether in terms of chances created, shots on goal, or possession,” he remarked, three days after a nail-biting draw at Dortmund secured a place in Monday’s last-16 draw.
PSG were drawn in the toughest group, including the Germans, Newcastle, and AC Milan.
“The risk (of this difficult group) was that we would not qualify, but it was the best group we could have had in terms of growth.” “It forced us to grow,” he insisted.
“I am deeply optimistic seeing how my players have behaved throughout these last few months.”
PSG face Lille in Ligue 1 on Sunday, followed by a midweek match against Metz before a three-week holiday break.
The Parisians lead the standings by four points, four points clear of Nice in second place, and nine points ahead of this weekend’s opponents.