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Only two nights left before the long-awaited Champions League final between PSG and Arsenal this Saturday in Budapest.
Luis Enrique has recovered all of his recently injured players in recent days, from Willian Pacho to Nuno Mendes to Achraf Hakimi and Ousmane Dembele. The Moroccan, who has not played since April 28 due to a right thigh injury sustained against Bayern Munich, says privately that he is at 100% but has only returned to collective training this week.
Will Hakimi start for PSG-Arsenal, or will Luis Enrique instead bet on Warren Zaïre-Emery, author of a huge season, whether in midfield or at right back? That is the main question ahead of the final on the Parisian side. In goal, we will obviously find Matvey Safonov, who has been the undisputed starter for several months.
In front of the Russian goalkeeper, there will therefore be Hakimi or Zaïre-Emery on the right, captain Marquinhos and Willian Pacho in the center, and Nuno Mendes on the left. If Hakimi starts, can Zaïre-Emery hope to start in midfield?
In theory, yes, but the return to great form of Fabian Ruiz, combined with the performances of Joao Neves and Vitinha, could well be fatal to the French international, who will nevertheless undoubtedly participate in the final, one way or another. But the Neves-Vitinha-Ruiz midfield clearly has the edge for Saturday.
Finally, in attack, no surprise is expected, as Ousmane Dembele, bothered by his right calf on May 17 against Paris FC, is feeling better and has returned to collective training this week after a week of rest.
The Ballon d'Or winner will logically start the final as a false nine, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the left and Desire Doue on the right. So we could have the same lineup as against Inter Milan a year ago, except for the goalkeeper position.
PSG predicted lineup vs. Arsenal: Safonov; Hakimi (or Zaïre-Emery), Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.
On Arsenal's side, which has perhaps celebrated its English champion title a little too much in recent days, Mikel Arteta will be without his English defender White, who had been playing on the right in recent weeks in the absence of Jurrien Timber, who has been unavailable since March 14.
The Dutch right back has just returned to collective training and will be in Budapest, but it is difficult to imagine him starting the final.
As it stands, the big favorite to start in that position is center-back Cristhian Mosquera, who started on the right against Burnley ten days ago.
Against Crystal Palace last Sunday, Arteta also tested his defensive midfielder, Martin Zubimendi, at right back, a test that was clearly less conclusive.
For the rest of the Gunners' lineup, there are quite a few certainties, such as David Raya starting in goal or the Saliba-Gabriel center-back partnership. Despite some recent physical issues, Riccardo Calafiori is fit and should start at left back.
Arsenal predicted lineup against PSG: Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Odegaard (or Eze), Trossard; Havertz.
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Luis Enrique has recovered all of his recently injured players in recent days, from Willian Pacho to Nuno Mendes to Achraf Hakimi and Ousmane Dembele. The Moroccan, who has not played since April 28 due to a right thigh injury sustained against Bayern Munich, says privately that he is at 100% but has only returned to collective training this week.
Will Hakimi start for PSG-Arsenal, or will Luis Enrique instead bet on Warren Zaïre-Emery, author of a huge season, whether in midfield or at right back? That is the main question ahead of the final on the Parisian side. In goal, we will obviously find Matvey Safonov, who has been the undisputed starter for several months.
In front of the Russian goalkeeper, there will therefore be Hakimi or Zaïre-Emery on the right, captain Marquinhos and Willian Pacho in the center, and Nuno Mendes on the left. If Hakimi starts, can Zaïre-Emery hope to start in midfield?
In theory, yes, but the return to great form of Fabian Ruiz, combined with the performances of Joao Neves and Vitinha, could well be fatal to the French international, who will nevertheless undoubtedly participate in the final, one way or another. But the Neves-Vitinha-Ruiz midfield clearly has the edge for Saturday.
Finally, in attack, no surprise is expected, as Ousmane Dembele, bothered by his right calf on May 17 against Paris FC, is feeling better and has returned to collective training this week after a week of rest.
The Ballon d'Or winner will logically start the final as a false nine, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the left and Desire Doue on the right. So we could have the same lineup as against Inter Milan a year ago, except for the goalkeeper position.
PSG predicted lineup vs. Arsenal: Safonov; Hakimi (or Zaïre-Emery), Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.
On Arsenal's side, which has perhaps celebrated its English champion title a little too much in recent days, Mikel Arteta will be without his English defender White, who had been playing on the right in recent weeks in the absence of Jurrien Timber, who has been unavailable since March 14.
The Dutch right back has just returned to collective training and will be in Budapest, but it is difficult to imagine him starting the final.
As it stands, the big favorite to start in that position is center-back Cristhian Mosquera, who started on the right against Burnley ten days ago.
Against Crystal Palace last Sunday, Arteta also tested his defensive midfielder, Martin Zubimendi, at right back, a test that was clearly less conclusive.
For the rest of the Gunners' lineup, there are quite a few certainties, such as David Raya starting in goal or the Saliba-Gabriel center-back partnership. Despite some recent physical issues, Riccardo Calafiori is fit and should start at left back.
Arsenal predicted lineup against PSG: Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Odegaard (or Eze), Trossard; Havertz.
Continue reading...
