With the domestic title essentially in the bag, the Paris Saint-Germain squad travels to Lens this Wednesday with their minds already set on a much larger prize. Following a narrow 1-0 victory over Brest last weekend, the capital club is, in the words of manager Luis Enrique, “99.9% champions.”
Holding a six-point lead and a massive goal-difference advantage over their closest rivals with only two games remaining, the result at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis is unlikely to change the final standings. This lack of pressure allows the Parisian staff to treat the fixture as a high-intensity training session for the Champions League final against Arsenal, scheduled for May 30.
Strategic rotation and player management
The primary objective for the coaching staff is to ensure the squad reaches peak physical and mental condition for the European showdown. Luis Enrique has been meticulously managing player workloads throughout the season. Interestingly, during the semi-final second leg in Munich, eight of the eleven starters had played fewer than 1,350 minutes in Ligue 1, highlighting a strategy of preservation.
The manager has hinted that his starting lineup against Lens will be dictated by individual recovery needs rather than the prestige of the opponent. “The most vital thing for me is to analyse the minute load of every player so we arrive at the final in the best possible shape,” the coach explained after the recent win against Brest.
The players share this sentiment. Désiré Doué, who secured the win on Sunday, noted that while Lens is a formidable opponent, the atmosphere and stakes of a Champions League final are incomparable. While some stars were rested recently, others like Fabian Ruiz and Marquinhos might be given a break this Wednesday to avoid unnecessary fatigue.
Testing tactical innovations
The upcoming match also serves as a laboratory for tactical experiments. Lucas Beraldo has recently been transitioned into a holding midfield role, a position he occupied during the closing stages of matches in Liverpool and Munich. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Senny Mayulu has been impressing in the right-back position.
Luis Enrique praised the youngster’s physical attributes, comparing his “engine” to that of Achraf Hakimi and Warren Zaïre-Emery. Mayulu‘s performances against Lorient and Brest suggest he could be a reliable backup if Hakimi is not fully fit for the final on May 30.
The view from the opposition
Even for Lens, the intensity of this rivalry has cooled. After securing their spot in second place, the Sang et Or are shifting their focus toward the Coupe de France final against Nice. Their manager, Pierre Sage, acknowledged that catching Paris Saint-Germain was no longer a realistic goal.
“We tried to push them, but our season had too many imperfections to overcome a team of their caliber,” Sage admitted. He concluded by offering praise to the league leaders, predicting that they are well on their way to securing a second Champions League trophy for the club.
