SOCCER: PSG boss Luis Enrique praises team's mentality after securing title

Paris Saint-Germain are often praised for their incisive attacking play, but their 2-0 victory over RC Lens on Wednesday, which secured a fifth consecutive league title, highlighted a different quality — the mentality to win matches even when under sustained pressure, according to head coach Luis Enrique.

Goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and substitute Ibrahim Mbaye sealed the win, ensuring Paris Saint-Germain moved beyond the reach of Lens in the Ligue 1 title race.

“Today, we spent more time defending than usual,” Luis Enrique said. “But if you want to win trophies, you have to be able to dominate both offensively and defensively. And the team today showed the mentality it needs to win.”

PSG clinched the league with one match still remaining, a tighter margin compared to their 2024-25 campaign, when they secured the title with six games to spare.

“This is the sweetest and hardest title to win. The hardest of the three years we’ve had here, without a doubt. But that’s also because Lens did a very good job,” the Spanish coach added.

“And I remember certain moments from this season, the kind of matches they won and the number of consecutive matches they put together. It was tricky. We had to deal with that.”

PSG will close their league campaign against neighbors Paris FC on Sunday before turning their attention to the UEFA Champions League final against Premier League side Arsenal later this month. -Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford/Reuters