UEFA Champions League 2016-17: Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Barcelona, 5 Talking Points

#5 Unai Emery finally getting the better of Barcelona

PARIS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 14: Unai Emery, head coach of Paris Saint-Germain FC issues instructions to his players on the touchline during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona at Parc des Princes on February 14, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) — Emery’s 4.3% win record now rises to 8.3% against Barcelona

PSG’s manager Unai Emery has been facing Barcelona for over a decade now as the coach of Almeria, Valencia, Sevilla and now Paris Saint-Germain. However, in his previous 23 games against the Catalans, Unai Emery only managed to win a single game - in the 2015-16 season.

Luis Enrique’s tactics have been questionable for quite a while and Unai Emery has clearly been one of the coaches who has managed to capitalise on this. Emery has always packed his midfield against Barcelona in order to leave the players struggling for space. This has been a feature even when he faced Barcelona as the coach of Sevilla.

The Barcelona manager has, in fact, had a better record against Emery as the coach of Celta Vigo – which was perhaps his best spells tactically (despite winning a treble with Barcelona). This stat simply goes to show the progress Emery has made over the last few years, or rather, the lack of progress on Luis Enrique’s behalf.

Edited by Staff Editor