This season's European Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain, led by Luis Enrique, two-time Champions League winner, and Aston Villa, led by Unai Emery, Europa League title holder, will witness the second meeting between the coaches in this tournament, and the thirteenth match between them overall.
The two coaches, both from northern Spain, share a history dating back to 2013, based on mutual respect and appreciation.
The European Super Cup final will be held on August 12 this year, between the French capital's team and Aston Villa, in Salzburg.
History of meetings between Luis Enrique and Unai Emery
1 – Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Barcelona (Champions League round of 16 first leg, 14/02/2017).
Paris Saint-Germain, led by Emery, achieved a stunning upset in the first leg against Barcelona, led by Luis Enrique, effectively deciding the tie.
Ángel Di María shone with two goals, while Julian Draxler and Edinson Cavani added two more to cap a historic night for the Parisians.
With this victory, Emery surpassed Luis Enrique for only the second time in their careers up to that point, and for the first time in Europe.
2 - Barcelona 6-1 Paris Saint-Germain (6-5 aggregate, Champions League round of 16 second leg, 08/03/2017).
Barcelona achieved the biggest comeback in Champions League history, overcoming a four-goal deficit from the first leg to qualify in dramatic fashion.
Luis Suárez's early goal at Camp Nou gave a glimmer of hope, and by the 50th minute, the hosts were leading 3-0.
Edinson Cavani's goal in the 62nd minute seemed to reassure Paris, but two late goals from Neymar left Barcelona needing another to overturn the away-goals deficit.
In stoppage time, Sergi Roberto, a La Masia graduate, capitalized on a free kick taken by Neymar to score the winner, sparking wild celebrations and qualifying his team for the quarterfinals.
3 – Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Aston Villa (Champions League quarterfinal first leg, April 9, 2025)
In the first meeting between the two teams since that unforgettable night in Catalonia, Emery's side, Aston Villa, were looking to pull off an upset against the Paris team now coached by Luis Enrique.
Morgan Rogers opened the scoring for his team, but Désiré Doué equalized four minutes later, followed by a decisive goal from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia that turned the match in his team's favor.
Nuno Mendes capped a brilliant performance by scoring from close range in stoppage time, leaving Villa with an extremely difficult task in the second leg in Birmingham.
4 - Aston Villa 3-2 Paris Saint-Germain (4-5 aggregate, Champions League quarterfinal second leg, 15/04/2024).
Emery confidently stated that his team was aiming for a "historic comeback" in the second leg, but after Paris Saint-Germain's two early goals from Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes, that seemed unlikely.
However, Youri Tielemans' goal before halftime reduced the deficit, and after the break, John McGinn equalized for Villa, before Ezri Konsa added another to ignite hope that Emery could achieve his own comeback against Luis Enrique.
Only two brilliant saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma from shots by Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio, on loan from Paris, prevented Villa from scoring, paving the way for Luis Enrique's team to European glory, as they defeated Arsenal and Inter to claim their first Champions League title.
5 - Barcelona 5-4 Sevilla (European Super Cup, 11/08/2015).
Barcelona, led by Luis Enrique, defeated Sevilla, led by Emery, in a thrilling match.
Lionel Messi scored two goals from free kicks to put Barcelona ahead 4-1, before José Antonio Reyes reduced the deficit, then Kevin Gameiro scored a penalty, before substitute Konoplyanka equalized to send the teams into extra time.
After that, Luis Enrique introduced Pedro Rodríguez, who scored the winner five minutes from the end of the match.
