Paris Saint-Germain hosts Arsenal at the Parc Des Princes for the second leg of their Champions League semifinal clash. Both teams are aware that the winner will face Inter in the UCL final, scheduled for May 31st in Munich. With PSG holding a slim 1-0 lead from the first leg, the pressure is intense for this decisive return fixture.
In the initial encounter, PSG narrowly avoided conceding a goal, with VAR disallowing Mikel Merino`s finish. This served as a stark warning regarding Arsenal`s potential threat, particularly from set pieces. Playing on home turf, PSG will benefit from significant crowd support. However, considering that neither club has ever claimed a Champions League title, the psychological battle is likely to be the most formidable aspect of the match.
Here`s a look at the key storylines and insights ahead of the match:
First Leg Recap
The opening match was a tactical contest. PSG started brightly, with Ousmane Dembele scoring just four minutes in. The Parisians dominated for about twenty minutes before Arsenal`s defense found its footing. While the Gunners subsequently created better scoring opportunities, Dembele`s early goal proved decisive, preventing them from heading to Paris with the tie level.
What the Coaches Are Saying
For Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the stage is set for a potentially historic moment. While Arteta has won the FA Cup with the Gunners, repeated near-misses in the Premier League title race mean reaching a Champions League final could represent his crowning achievement as manager.
“Yeah, one of the most beautiful, for sure. I mean, again, one win away from being in the final. We cannot ask for anything else,” Arteta commented on the significance. “Let`s not do the talking [now], let`s do it tomorrow on that pitch at 9pm [CET] when the game starts. Show our best, best, best, best version and win the game.” To succeed, he will need a stronger performance, particularly from players like Martin Odegaard, after meticulously preparing his squad.
On the PSG side, following Kylian Mbappe`s departure, the team has undergone a reinvention under Luis Enrique. The path forward is clear, and Enrique`s birthday the day after the match adds a personal touch to the occasion. However, as a manager accustomed to high-stakes matches, Enrique is focused on managing the pressure.
“We`re here because we deserve to be, we won the first game and tomorrow`s objective is to win the second. There are a lot of potential keys, but I think we have to show the confidence that our supporters have shown us, in terms of effort and emotional intelligence,” Enrique stated. “There will be details we can control. We`re going to have to stay true to the ideas we`ve had so far. We`re going to go into this match and build on our strengths. If things don`t go our way, we`ll be competitive enough to turn things around.”
Predicted Lineups
PSG: Ginluigi Donarrumma, Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Joao Neves, Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia
Arsenal: David Raya, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jakub Kiwior, William Saliba, Ben White, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka
Player to Watch
Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, PSG: Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, a January transfer arrival from Napoli, has been crucial to PSG`s revamped attack. The Georgian seems perfectly suited to the PSG system. While his overall stats might appear modest (four goals and five assists in 22 appearances across all competitions), four of these direct goal contributions have come in Champions League play.
Kvaratskhelia has demonstrated an ability to step up when PSG needs him most, a trait that will be vital playing at home. Against Arsenal`s defense, known for focusing on winning individual duels, Kvaratskhelia`s exceptional dribbling skill could be the factor that breaks the game open if he can win his matchups.
Storyline to Watch
Will the pressure of a potential treble affect PSG? With Barcelona eliminated, PSG is now the only remaining team with a chance at securing a treble this season. Having already won Ligue 1 and with the Coupe De France final scheduled for May 24th, PSG is just three wins away from this remarkable feat. However, achieving it will be far from easy. Every team reaching this stage has faced setbacks along the way, and Luis Enrique will be desperate to avoid suffering their biggest disappointment in the Champions League, unlike Barcelona`s fate. The quest for a historic UCL title, the one trophy missing from PSG`s cabinet, adds immense pressure – potentially the most significant of any competition this season. Yet, pressure can also forge brilliance.
Prediction
PSG might not score as early as four minutes into the match this time, but Ousmane Dembele finding the net again in the first half will bring immense relief to the home crowd. Arsenal will create tension by scoring themselves, but it won`t be enough to prevent PSG from netting an insurance goal to secure their passage in regulation time.
Pick: PSG 2, Arsenal 1
