Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are set to face off in the second leg of their Champions League semifinal at the Parc Des Princes. The victor of this tie already knows their opponent in the final: Inter awaits in Munich on May 31.
PSG holds a narrow 1-0 lead from the first leg, leaving plenty of work for both sides in this high-pressure decider. PSG was fortunate not to concede in the first leg, with VAR disallowing Mikel Merino`s finish for Arsenal – a clear warning about the Gunners` threat, especially from set pieces.
Playing on home soil, PSG will benefit from strong crowd support. However, the psychological aspect of the match will be challenging for both teams, as neither club has previously lifted the Champions League trophy.
Here`s a look ahead to the match, including viewing details and analysis:
Match Details
- Date: Wednesday, May 7
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Parc des Princes — Paris, France
- TV Coverage: CBS
- Live Stream: Paramount+
- Odds: PSG +109; Draw +263; Arsenal +234
First Leg Summary
The opening leg was a tactical battle. PSG made a swift start, with Ousmane Dembele scoring just four minutes in. PSG dominated for about 20 minutes before Arsenal`s defense adjusted. Although Arsenal created better scoring opportunities afterward, Dembele`s early goal proved decisive, giving PSG the advantage heading into the Paris leg.
Coach`s Perspectives
This match represents a massive moment for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal. While Arteta has won the FA Cup with the club, reaching and potentially winning the Champions League final would be a crowning achievement, especially after falling short in recent Premier League title races.
Arteta commented on the significance: “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. 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.” He`ll need a strong performance from key players like Martin Odegaard to achieve this.
For PSG, despite Kylian Mbappe`s departure, Luis Enrique has successfully reshaped the team. With Enrique`s birthday the day after the match, a win offers a chance for a special celebration. An experienced manager in high-stakes games, Enrique aims to keep the team focused.
Enrique stated: “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. 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: Gianluigi Donnarrumma, 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, signed in January from Napoli, has been crucial to PSG`s attacking dynamics. The Georgian forward seems perfectly suited to the PSG system. While his overall stats (four goals, five assists in 22 appearances) might seem modest, four of his goal contributions have come in the Champions League.
Kvaratskhelia has a knack for stepping up in big moments, and this home tie against Arsenal is another such occasion. His exceptional dribbling ability poses a significant threat to Arsenal`s defense, which relies heavily on winning individual duels. If he can win his matchups, Kvaratskhelia has the potential to break the game open.
Storyline to Watch: Can PSG Handle the Treble Pressure?
With Barcelona eliminated, PSG is now the only team left in the competition with a chance to win a treble. Having already secured the Ligue 1 title and with the Coupe De France final scheduled for May 24, PSG is just three wins away from a historic achievement. However, completing a treble is incredibly difficult, and each team reaching this stage has faced significant challenges along the way. PSG will be keen to avoid the fate of Barcelona, who exited the Champions League unexpectedly.
Luis Enrique will want to manage this pressure carefully. For PSG, winning the Champions League holds immense historical importance, perhaps even more than the other trophies this season, as it`s the one major title missing from their cabinet. This adds another layer of pressure, but as is often said, pressure can forge diamonds.
Prediction
Unlike the first leg, PSG may not score in the opening minutes. However, expect Ousmane Dembele to find the net again in the first half, bringing a wave of relief to the home crowd. Arsenal will likely respond, creating tension, but PSG should seal their victory with an insurance goal later in the match to secure their place in the final in regulation time.
Predicted Score: PSG 2, Arsenal 1
Adrian Whitmore