David Luiz says that beating Barcelona in the Champions League was a "dream come true" after admitting that he has struggled at the start of his PSG career.
Luiz, 27, scored the opening goal against a club he had been heavily linked with joining while still at Chelsea, and earned high praise from the French press as PSG went top of Group F with a 3-2 win at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.
The 50 million-euro summer signing was relieved that the French champions rose to the occasion after drawing five of their opening eight league matches.
"It was a superb night and a great match," he told Canal+. "It's the Champions League and we like big nights like that.
"We haven't been playing well but this evening the players did what was required to win.
"Likewise for the coach, the staff and the supporters. The atmosphere was magnificent -- it's a dream come true."
"Magique" - @lequipe hails @PSG_inside 3-2 @FCBarcelona. @DavidLuiz_4 happy to answer critics. http://t.co/l2S4uOOade pic.twitter.com/tBgs1lrDID
- ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 1, 2014
Luiz set PSG on their way after only 10 minutes, sweeping home left-footed to punish some slack defending from a free-kick. The Brazilian defender was pleased to have played a crucial role in such a big win.
"It's amazing for me," he said. "Everyone was saying bad things about me but that's normal when you're not playing well. Big players always have pressure on them.
"I'm happy to have scored the first goal but it's only the start. I have to keep working every day to improve."
Luiz's central defensive partner Marquinhos made a superb block to prevent Jordi Alba from snatching a late equaliser for Barcelona. The Brazil international told Le Parisien that it was important that his side now back up Tuesday night's performance.
"It's good to produce this kind of match in the Champions L eague but now we have to keep the same energy, intensity and solidarity for Ligue 1," he said.
PSG face Monaco in their next league match on Sunday and Blaise Matuidi, who scored the third goal against Barcelona, also sounded a note of caution.
"This evening we showed that PSG can also be a big team," he told France Football. "But now we have to back it up this weekend in our bread and butter, which is the league."