With the highly anticipated Champions League final against Arsenal just one week away, Paris Saint-Germain conducted an internal training match this Saturday. While the 2025 Ballon d’Or recipient and the Moroccan defender were absent from this friendly scrimmage, there appears to be no significant worry regarding their availability for the crucial encounter with Arsenal.
As anticipated, PSG focused on maintaining peak performance and match readiness at their Poissy Campus grounds today. Following the 2-1 defeat to Paris FC in their recent Ligue 1 fixture, head coach Luis Enrique had indicated an internal friendly would take place. This session reportedly lasted over an hour, conducted at a notably high intensity.
No fitness worries for Dembélé and Hakimi, expected starters against Arsenal
The internal contest saw two squads, designated ‘black’ and ‘white’, compete in an eleven-a-side format. Although the final score was not disclosed, Ibrahima Mbaye and Vitinha were credited with goals for the white team. A crowd of 1,000 enthusiastic ultras and approximately one hundred children, invited by the club, were on hand to offer their final encouragement to the Parisian squad before their momentous clash with the Gunners. A banner displayed by the Collectif Ultras Paris captured the prevailing sentiment, stating: “Once, it’s historic. Twice, it’s legendary,” underscoring their fervent desire to retain the Champions League title.
Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi were the sole players not participating in the full group opposition. Hakimi, who sustained a thigh injury during the Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich on April 28 (a 5-4 victory), dedicated his time to individual training. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dembélé, experiencing discomfort in his calf after last Sunday’s 2-1 match against Paris FC, remained in the treatment room. Despite their absences from the friendly, PSG is reportedly unconcerned about the fitness of these two pivotal players and will not take any unnecessary risks with their recovery. Both Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi are widely expected to feature in the starting lineup when PSG faces Arsenal on May 30 in Budapest for the Champions League final. The club’s president Al-Khelaifi, sporting director Luis Campos, coach Luis Enrique, and the entire playing squad received a resounding ovation from the PSG ultras, whose focus is already firmly fixed on the upcoming challenge against the Gunners.
