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For many players, retiring from the pitch is like a liberation. Instead of a life of asceticism in the cycle of training and competition, they can do whatever they want, drink and eat what they like.
Luis Enrique is not one of them. After retiring, he has remained strict with himself by training every day, turning his home and office into a functional gym, with straps and bars on the walls and ceiling.
To maintain his competitive edge and desire to win, he surfed, swam, ran long distances and cycled up the steep slopes of Spain's Picos de Europa. In 2007, he completed the Frankfurt Ironman, a 3.8km swim, 119km bike ride and a full marathon. The following year, the former Barca and Real Madrid player took part in the Marathon de Sables, a 249km race over six days in the Sahara Desert.
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Luis Enrique has never lost his thirst for victory, even during his time away from football. |
But Luis Enrique soon realized that football was still where he belonged. He took over Barca's youth team, started his career at Roma, made a few marks at Celta Vigo and then, put himself in the ranks of the world's best coaches with his achievements at Barca, including the incredible 5-win season 2014/15.
Many people say that Luis Enrique is not an innovator when he completely copied Pep Guardiola's philosophy. And the 9 titles won in 3 years leading Barca are based on a team full of superstars, from Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar to Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba.
However, it is not difficult to point out that Luis Enrique's tactical philosophy is very different from Pep's. He is more direct, focuses on transitions and is not too focused on ball possession. Importantly, he does not depend on stars. This has been proven at PSG.
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PSG became a team full of hunger for victory in the true spirit of Luis Enrique. |
Luis Enrique initially turned down PSG's offer to coach Neymar, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, believing that the Parisians wanted to build the team based on player reputation, not professional interests. Only when PSG committed to changing their approach, with the desire to establish a team that truly serves the long-term future, did Luis Enrique nod in agreement.
When the Spaniard arrived in Paris, Neymar and Marco Verratti had left. Messi had also moved to Inter Miami. Mbappe was left, he removed his privileges and warned him to participate in defensive activities like everyone else. Then Mbappe said goodbye. That was when Luis Enrique created the team that the PSG Board and fans wanted.
In 2014/15, Luis Enrique’s Barca set a record of 238 successful dribbles in a Champions League season. No team has come close to that mark in a decade, but PSG have made 195 so far this season (and still have a game or two to go to improve).
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Luis Enrique is on the verge of greatness if he helps PSG reach the final and win the Champions League. |
Les Parisiens are the most exciting team to watch in Europe, with their speed, precision, pressing intensity and team cohesion with and without the ball. They also have the spirit of Luis Enrique himself, with a hunger to win and a determination to the max.
Without a big star, players are thriving in Luis Enrique's system. He rediscovered Ousmane Dembele's ability, maximizing his outstanding qualities by placing him in the false 9 position. He also gave wings to Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue, and ignited the talents of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Goncalo Ramos, and Vitinha.
A year ago, when Mbappe was confirmed to leave, Luis Enrique declared "I will create a better team". He kept his promise. Not only that, his young, dynamic, attractive and effective PSG is getting better every day. The proof is that the team that lost 0-2 to Arsenal in the group stage last October returned to the Emirates and beat Arsenal 1-0 in the first leg of the semi-final.
Now PSG need to repeat that performance at home to reach their dream final. If they continue to win, Luis Enrique will undoubtedly become Les Parisiens' greatest coach of all time and deserves a statue in the Parc des Princes.
Source: https://tienphong.vn/luis-enrique-da-bien-doi-psg-nhu-the-nao-de-tao-nen-mot-tap-the-chien-thang-post1739982.tpo
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