Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) players bowed their heads first. There was a name to remember before the result. It was Diogo Jota.
France's RMC Sports reported on the 14th (Korea time) that after arriving at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on the 14th, the PSG squad visited the memorial space for Jota set up in front of the stadium. PSG will play Liverpool FC at Anfield on the 15th in the 2025-2026 season UEFA Champions League quarterfinals second leg.
The tribute came before training. Jota and his younger brother André Silva died in a traffic accident last July. It was a tragedy that shocked the entire Portuguese and Liverpool football communities.
The first to step forward were PSG's Portuguese players. Vitinha, João Neves and Nuno Mendes laid down white flowers. Portuguese director general Luís Campos also joined them. A photo released by local media also showed Lee Kang-in.
PSG did not only mourn Jota. The squad also visited the memorial space for the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, another wound at Anfield. On April 15, 1989, 97 Liverpool fans lost their lives in the tragedy. It still remains across Anfield today.
The tribute continues on match day. A moment of silence for the Hillsborough victims will be held before kickoff. Players from both teams are expected to take the field wearing black armbands.
Even in the solemn atmosphere, PSG has no intention of backing down. They are preparing a different game than in the first leg.
Luis Enrique said at a pregame news conference, "This match will be very different from the first leg. We need to know how to endure difficult moments, and afterwards we must play our football as usual."
He added, "We are not here to protect a result," cuttingly. He made it clear PSG would not retreat defensively.
Enrique acknowledged the importance of the early stages of the match. However, he said that is not everything that determines the outcome.
He explained, "The start of the match can be important. In modern football, the flow can change in five minutes. Starting well is important. But that does not mean it is the core of the result."
[OSEN]