PSG Receive Major Injury Boost Ahead of Champions League Final Against Arsenal
- Paris Saint-Germain welcome back two key superstars ahead of the Champions League final against Arsenal
- The Gunners reached their first European final since 2006, defeating Atletico Madrid in a tense semi-final tie
- PSG is seeking back-to-back UCL titles after winning last season's final convincingly over Inter Milan
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Paris Saint-Germain have received a major boost ahead of the Champions League final with the return of two key players ahead of their clash against Arsenal.
The Parisians will face Arsenal in the Champions League final at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest on Saturday, May 30.
Source: Getty Images
Standing between Luis Enrique’s side and a back-to-back Champions League crown are Arsenal, who edged past Atletico Madrid 2-1 on aggregate after a tense semi-final tie, booking their place in the showpiece for only the second time in 20 years.
A Bukayo Saka goal proved decisive as Arsenal secured their first European final since 2006, when they lost to Barcelona in Paris, after narrowly overcoming Diego Simeone's side across two intense semi-final legs.
The final is a repeat of last season’s semi-final, where PSG triumphed 3-1 on aggregate before going on to crush Inter Milan 5-0 in the final in Munich to lift their first Champions League trophy, winning 1-0 at the Emirates and completing the job with a 2-1 home victory.
According to ESPN, PSG last played on May 17, losing 2-1 to Paris FC on the day they were confirmed Ligue 1 champions again, in a match where Ousmane Dembele suffered an injury after just 27 minutes, sparking concern ahead of the final.
As reported by Metro Sports, Luis Enrique later organised an indoor friendly match featuring 20-minute halves, although the Ballon d’Or holder was not involved.
Dembele and Hakimi return to fitness
French reports suggest Dembele has returned to training on Tuesday as he steps up his recovery in time for Saturday’s final.
The other concern for PSG is Achraf Hakimi, with L’Équipe reporting that he is unlikely to be fit enough to start the final after suffering a thigh injury in the first leg of the semi-final against Bayern Munich.
Like Dembele, Hakimi also missed the indoor friendly but is expected to return to training on Wednesday, leaving Enrique to decide whether to risk him from the start after a long spell out.
Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, Opta’s latest simulations are now backing Arsenal to defeat PSG and claim the first Champions League trophy in the club’s history.
According to the supercomputer, Arsenal have been given a 57.11% chance of lifting the trophy, while PSG have been assigned a 42.89% chance of successfully defending their crown.
UEFA changes time for Arsenal vs PSG
Previously, YEN.com.gh reported that this season’s Champions League final will begin earlier than fans have become accustomed to recently.
Traditionally, Europe’s biggest football competition match kicks off at 7 pm Ghana time, but UEFA has moved this year’s final to 4 pm GMT instead.
Football boss Aleksander Čeferin explained that the earlier time was designed to make the event more accessible for fans elsewhere in the world.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
