Claude Makelele believes Paris will add to their maiden UEFA Champions League triumph sooner rather than later.
The French giants, finally ended their long wait for success in Europe’s premier competition last term, comprehensively steamrolling Inter in a one-sided final in Munich.
The Parisian side’s triumph came on the back of 12 successive agonising knockout round defeats, including a crushing 1-0 loss in the 2020 showpiece final at the hands of German powerhouses Bayern München.
However, they finally hauled themselves across the winning line with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Inter, and Makelele, who served for the Ligue 1 club for three years at the tail end of his playing career, has backed his former side to secure more continental honours in the coming years.
“To dominate is difficult, winning the UEFA Champions League is incredibly difficult, but they have won the competition now and they don’t have the pressure of trying to win it for the first time,” the 52-year-old told bet365.
They are more than capable of winning it for a second time, who knows maybe even this year, and I am sure there will be more success in the future too.
- Claude Makelele (bet365)
“There will be a different mentality there now because it’s incredibly difficult to win that first one, and whilst it doesn’t become easier to win a second, they won’t have that extra pressure on them anymore.”
The Frenchman also feels that in head coach Luis Enrique the reigning European champions possess the talents of a proven leader and master tactician – somebody who can help establish the club as long-term UEFA Champions League heavyweights.
“Their manager (Luis Enrique) is a great manager, he has a great understanding of the game,” he added.
“He gives his players a clear plan and allows them the freedom to go out and express themselves.
“The finer details, which are really important, he is incredibly good at – the preparation is always very good, and, of course, most importantly, they have world class players.
“For me, they are the best team in the world right now with a great manager, which is why they are the current UEFA Champions League winners.
“I believe that they will continue growing stronger and stronger.”
The defending champions will be hoping to return to winning ways in the competition against Thomas Frank's side this evening after succumbing to a first defeat of the league-phase against Bayern München last time out.
Their narrow 2-1 home defeat came on the back of three emphatic victories over Atalanta, Barcelona and Leverkusen, netting an impressive 13 goals in the process.
