Paris Saint-Germain right-back Thomas Meunier revealed his delight with the French champions' start to 2017 after a 4-1 win away at Bordeaux on Tuesday took his team into a fourth-consecutive Coupe de la Ligue final.
Angel Di Maria and Edinson Cavani both scored twice and the Belgium international was happy with the the character shown at Matmut Atlantique.
"We are off to a really good start this year!" said Meunier after the final whistle. "It was not a perfect match, as we were up against a very strong Bordeaux side.
"In the first half, we lacked a bit of sparkle. After the break, we hit our stride. Things could have changed very quickly in this game -- we could have been 3-0 up after the first 30 minutes.
"We reacted well after Bordeaux equalised. We showed character and, in football, that is very important."
Fellow right-back Alec Georgen made his professional debut in Bordeaux as an 88th minute substitute for Lucas Moura.
Although he did not get long on the pitch, the PSG youth academy graduate was delighted with his first taste of competitive senior football.
"I am very happy as it was my first appearance in official competition with PSG," Georgen said. "Tonight, I am thinking about my family, my coaches and my educators -- everyone who has helped me along the way.
"Coming on in the Coupe de la Ligue semifinal is nothing to sneeze at. I only played a few minutes, but I made the most of it. I am very happy!"
Next up for Unai Emery's in-form side are insatiable AS Monaco in a massive Ligue 1 summit meeting at Parc des Princes on Sunday.
Les Parisiens could also meet Leonardo Jardim's men in the Coupe de la Ligue final if Les Monegasques beat Nancy-Lorraine at Stade Louis II on Wednesday.