"We must prove our qualification to win on the pitch."

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will face Premier League powerhouse Aston Villa in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals for the 2024-2025 season at 4 a.m. on the 10th (Korean time) at Parc des Princes in Paris, France.

PSG encountered Liverpool in the round of 16. They lost the first leg 0-1 but managed to record a 1-0 victory in the second leg away match, resulting in an aggregate score of 1-1, and advanced to the quarterfinals by winning 4-1 in the penalty shootout.

On the 9th, ahead of the match, the UEFA Champions League shared the content of head coach Luis Enrique's pre-match press conference through its official website. Coach Enrique opened by saying, "There is no such thing as a 'title contender' in football."

He emphasized, "The eight teams that have reached the quarterfinals deserve to be here. We need to do what we have to do and prove our qualification to win on the pitch."

He noted, "Unai Emery is an excellent coach. Aston Villa is a strong team. They have made significant progress over the past two years thanks to Coach Emery."

Enrique remarked, "They are similar to us in that they have many versatile players. It will be hard to predict who will start, as they have strengthened their squad well through the winter transfer window. It will be an open game for both teams, and a tough match."

Desiree Duhamel, who also attended the press conference, said, "Reaching this stage is a matter of skill, not luck. Villa has earned the right to be here. Therefore, there is no need to question who is the 'title contender.'"

He added, "Villa is a good team and has good players. In this match, just as in the second leg, we need to remain focused from the start until the final whistle."

Meanwhile, Lee Kang-in is aiming to return to the Champions League about three weeks after suffering an ankle ligament injury during the A match against Oman last month.

Focusing on rehabilitation after returning to PSG, he was recently spotted participating in team training, indicating he has resumed normal training. Considering his game sense, it is more likely he will come on as a substitute rather than starting, as he did in the previous round of 16 second leg against Liverpool.

PSG has claimed the Super Cup and league title during the season and is attempting to achieve its first 'quadruple' by adding the Champions League and French Cup.

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