APParis Saint-Germain (PSG) secured a spot in the Champions League final by defeating Arsenal 2-1 on Wednesday (May 7), advancing 3-1 on aggregate. The French club will face Inter Milan of Italy on June 1 in Munich for the title in what is its only second final match in the tournament's history.
It is the first season for PSG without star striker Kylian Mbappé, who now plies his trade at Real Madrid. The club had ended as the Champions League runner-up in 2020 losing to Germany's Bayern Munich 0-1.
Playing a counter-attacking game under coach Luis Enrique, PSG overcame Arsenal, the third English club to be at the receiving end of the French team after Aston Villa and Liverpool. PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was the star with the many goal-saving acts.
Fabian Ruiz scored the first goal for PSG in the 27th minute from a set piece after an Arsenal clearance. The lead was extended by Achraf Hakimi scored in the 72nd minute. Arsenal had a glimmer of hope when Bukayo Saka scored but Donnarumma stood tall in the goalpost to ensure his team's win.
Arsenal was the more attacking team with 61 attacks compared to just 26 for PSG. But the latter made them count.
Arsenal had lost the first leg 1-0 last week in London.
PSG's path to the final included eliminating Aston Villa and Liverpool, overcoming past setbacks, and now aims to secure its first Champions League title against Inter Milan, who defeated Barcelona in the semi-finals.
“I said from the first day that our goal was to work hard enough to be in a position to make history — and that remains our goal. To be the first to win the long-awaited trophy. This is a project that has evolved since last year, and I feel very comfortable here as a coach because I have the freedom and support from the president to build what we want, adapting to the market to put together a team that improves every day," Enrique said
PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi expressed confidence in the team. He highlighted the team's young and hungry players.
“We believe in our coach and we believe in our players — in our talented, young, hungry players," al-Khelaifi told CBS Sports.
Earlier, Inter Milan defeated Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate on Tuesday to book its place in the final of the championship.
Fabian Ruiz scored in the 27th minute. His goal came from a set piece after an Arsenal clearance.
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Playing a counter-attacking game under coach Luis Enrique, PSG overcame Arsenal, the third English club to be at the receiving end of the French team after Aston Villa and Liverpool. PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was the star with the many goal-saving acts.
Fabian Ruiz scored the first goal for PSG in the 27th minute from a set piece after an Arsenal clearance. The lead was extended by Achraf Hakimi scored in the 72nd minute. Arsenal had a glimmer of hope when Bukayo Saka scored but Donnarumma stood tall in the goalpost to ensure his team's win.
Arsenal was the more attacking team with 61 attacks compared to just 26 for PSG. But the latter made them count.
Arsenal had lost the first leg 1-0 last week in London.
PSG's path to the final included eliminating Aston Villa and Liverpool, overcoming past setbacks, and now aims to secure its first Champions League title against Inter Milan, who defeated Barcelona in the semi-finals.
Champions League: PGS changes strategy
The absence of Mbappé led to a change in the club's approach. The club shifted away from attracting big names like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi, and Neymar with coach Enrique focussed on building a new team.“I said from the first day that our goal was to work hard enough to be in a position to make history — and that remains our goal. To be the first to win the long-awaited trophy. This is a project that has evolved since last year, and I feel very comfortable here as a coach because I have the freedom and support from the president to build what we want, adapting to the market to put together a team that improves every day," Enrique said
PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi expressed confidence in the team. He highlighted the team's young and hungry players.
“We believe in our coach and we believe in our players — in our talented, young, hungry players," al-Khelaifi told CBS Sports.
Earlier, Inter Milan defeated Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate on Tuesday to book its place in the final of the championship.
Fabian Ruiz scored in the 27th minute. His goal came from a set piece after an Arsenal clearance.
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