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In six days from now, PSG will contest the 25/26 UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal in Budapest, as they look to defend their crown from last season.
Although a surprise exit to next door neighbours Paris FC in the Coupe de France means that the historical treble can not be immediately replicated, a second consecutive Champions League title would still be a seismic achievement for the club.
However, the task at hand has now been made more difficult. Indeed so, as according to French outlet L'Equipe, right-back Achraf Hakimi is not expected to be fit in time for the final, as he continues to suffer from the thigh injury that he picked up at the end of the semi final first leg at home to Bayern Munich.
They mention that he could be fit for the bench, which is at least something, with Warren Zaire-Emery at right-back and Fabian Ruiz in the midfield with Joao Neves and Vitinha.
Although it would no doubt be optimal to have the Moroccan fully fit and available, this might not be the worst thing ever. In the second leg against Bayern, Zaire-Emery did pretty well. On a couple of occasions, Luis Diaz got the better of him, but it was a very good battle throughout and overall the young Frenchman did a great job on the whole.
Plus, with the outstanding performance of Fabian Ruiz in the second leg, linking up excellently with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia down the left in possession, as well as really helping Nuno Mendes against Michael Olise, there is an element of the saying: 'If it isn't broken, don't fix it'.
Meanwhile, it was also reported that there is optimism that Ousmane Dembele will be back for the final, although if he is not back in training by Tuesday, fears will begin to creep in. Now, safe to say that one would be more costly. Dembele is the system at PSG, he is so important.
Not only is he the biggest goal threat, but he is also one arguably the team's most creative outlet, as well as his ability to drop deep and link play, added to his pressing out of possession. He will very much be needed against Arsenal, there is no doubt about that at all. Let's keep everything crossed he will be back.
If he is not fit, it will be interesting to see how Luis Enrique lines up. Will he go with a nominal number nine in Goncalo Ramos, or play another false nine, as is so important to the system. We could see one of Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue as the false nine, with the other two on the wings. Let's see.
Continue reading...
Although a surprise exit to next door neighbours Paris FC in the Coupe de France means that the historical treble can not be immediately replicated, a second consecutive Champions League title would still be a seismic achievement for the club.
However, the task at hand has now been made more difficult. Indeed so, as according to French outlet L'Equipe, right-back Achraf Hakimi is not expected to be fit in time for the final, as he continues to suffer from the thigh injury that he picked up at the end of the semi final first leg at home to Bayern Munich.
They mention that he could be fit for the bench, which is at least something, with Warren Zaire-Emery at right-back and Fabian Ruiz in the midfield with Joao Neves and Vitinha.
Although it would no doubt be optimal to have the Moroccan fully fit and available, this might not be the worst thing ever. In the second leg against Bayern, Zaire-Emery did pretty well. On a couple of occasions, Luis Diaz got the better of him, but it was a very good battle throughout and overall the young Frenchman did a great job on the whole.
Plus, with the outstanding performance of Fabian Ruiz in the second leg, linking up excellently with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia down the left in possession, as well as really helping Nuno Mendes against Michael Olise, there is an element of the saying: 'If it isn't broken, don't fix it'.
Meanwhile, it was also reported that there is optimism that Ousmane Dembele will be back for the final, although if he is not back in training by Tuesday, fears will begin to creep in. Now, safe to say that one would be more costly. Dembele is the system at PSG, he is so important.
Not only is he the biggest goal threat, but he is also one arguably the team's most creative outlet, as well as his ability to drop deep and link play, added to his pressing out of possession. He will very much be needed against Arsenal, there is no doubt about that at all. Let's keep everything crossed he will be back.
If he is not fit, it will be interesting to see how Luis Enrique lines up. Will he go with a nominal number nine in Goncalo Ramos, or play another false nine, as is so important to the system. We could see one of Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue as the false nine, with the other two on the wings. Let's see.
Continue reading...
