In addition to the increasingly traditional clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Champions League knockout stages, another duel that will surely bring the football world to a standstill will be the one between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, which is a replay of the final of the first Club World Cup last year, something many are alluding to, everyone except Luis Enrique, the PSG coach.

As is tradition, once the Champions League knockout draw is held, one of the first things sought out is the coaches' reactions to seeing the opponent their team has been drawn against, something many agree to and, for the most part, show composure and respect toward their upcoming opponent.

One of the most sought-after was Luis Enrique, whom they clearly wanted to ask about his opinion on facing Chelsea in the round of 16, the team they faced in the final of the first Club World Cup, and where they ended up being routed at MetLife Stadium in the United States.

Luis Enrique said he does not see this match as a rematch and stressed that they are the reigning Champions League winners.

"It was a fascinating draw; we got an English team, but we have no feeling of revenge. They are different competitions," the Spanish coach said. "This draw is our path; we are used to it. We are the defending champions, and the problems will be for the others," he stated.

Luis Enrique said that, unlike last year, "now everyone knows that PSG can win the Champions League," though he stressed that to do so they must improve and be "aware of that."

Let's quickly review the last two encounters between these two teams in official competitions:

July 13, 2025 — Chelsea 3 - 0 Paris Saint-Germain

Cole Palmer scored two goals and assisted on another as Chelsea was crowned the first champion of the new FIFA Club World Cup by beating Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Palmer opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a placed shot and extended the lead in the 30th, before assisting Joao Pedro, who sealed the victory in the 43rd minute. PSG ended the match with 10 men after Joao Neves was sent off in the 86th minute.

March 9, 2016 — Chelsea 1 - 2 Paris Saint-Germain

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the winning goal in the 67th minute as Paris Saint-Germain defeated Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, securing their place in the Champions League quarterfinals with a 4-2 aggregate score. Adrien Rabiot gave the French side the lead in the 16th minute, but Diego Costa momentarily equalized for the London team in the 27th minute following a solo play inside the area.

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