Heading to Budapest, Paris Saint-Germain aim to claim a legendary chapter by stopping Arsenal from lifting their first European trophy. Fresh off winning the Premier League for the first time in 22 seasons, the Gunners now chase lasting glory through a historic double.
On the opposite side, Luis Enrique’s squad eyes another giant step, holding onto their Champions League crown and making it two straight continental wins. With so much at stake, every pass could shift legacies.
Just before the big match, PSG faced brief worries over Ousmane Dembele and Achraf Hakimi picking up knocks late in the league season. With so much riding on the game at Puskás Aréna, supporters are keen to know whether both players will actually line up when the whistle blows.
Back at the Hungarian training base, Achraf Hakimi joined drills alongside Ousmane Dembele after passing last-round assessments, both now cleared for match action. The group shapes up nearly whole under Luis Enrique, though netminder Lucas Chevalier remains on the sidelines.
Paris Saint-Germain's Predicted XI vs Arsenal
Paris Saint-Germain have all of Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes available for selection in this evening’s Champions League final against Arsenal.
Right-back Hakimi was the first of four different scorers as PSG put five past Inter Milan in last year’s showpiece, but he had been a doubt for Saturday’s game with a hamstring injury.
He has not played since the 5-4 semi-final first-leg win against Bayern Munich on April 28, but, in a boost for Luis Enrique, has been named in the Champions League final squad and declared fit to feature.
Bursting into the back line when Hakimi stepped aside, young Warren Zaire-Emery filled in on the right without missing a rhythm. His calm across those minutes turned heads more than once. His shift to defence opened room in the middle, now filled by Fabian Ruiz alongside Vitinha and Joao Neves.
Up near midfield, PSG’s manager Enrique seems to have found a setup that works well enough to stick with it. The pattern feels set now, almost automatic in its repetition. A rhythm has taken hold since those earlier adjustments. Little suggests he plans to shift away anytime soon. Comfort shows in how the pieces stay put game after game.
Out wide to the right, Desire Doue takes position. On the far side, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia lines up; he's ahead of others, still playing by three goals. Up front, Dembele holds the centre spot.
Kvaratskhelia tore through nearly every backline this term - even ones like Bayern Munich’s and Chelsea’s didn’t stand a chance. Stopping him won’t be easy; Arsenal are walking into a serious test. He doesn’t wait for chances; he creates them, leaving defenders scrambling long after the play moves on.
Hakimi, if able to start, will be joined in defence by captain Marquinhos and Willian Pacho, with Nuno Mendes completing a stalwart defensive unit after also being passed fit following a thigh complaint that has seen him absent since the second-leg draw with Bayern.
Shoulder scan came back clean for Hakimi, good news that lines him up again on the edge of defence where he usually stands. Dembele takes position after passing fitness checks, set to dart from the right flank alongside Barcola and Kvaratskhelia.
That trio might spark early if their timing clicks. The bench sees Chevalier sidelined with an injury, leaving Safonov ready between the posts. Midfield balance leans familiar, Enrique sticks to what moves smoothly when tested. Formation is 4-3-3, alive with bursts rather than slow build.
PSG Predicted XI: Safonov; Zaire-Emery, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Also read: PSG’s controlled chaos meets Arsenal’s discipline in Champions League final showdown