The Paris Saint-Germain are in a race against time to ensure two of their most pivotal players are fit for the Champions League final against Arsenal. Luis Enrique’s squad is closely monitoring the recovery progress of Achraf Hakimi and Ousmane Dembélé as the countdown to the Budapest showdown intensifies.
With the Puskás Aréna awaiting the clash of Europe’s elite, the French champions face an uncertain squad situation just days before the season’s climax. Arsenal, fresh from their Premier League triumph after 22 years, arrive in Hungary with momentum on their side, while the Parisians grapple with fitness concerns that could reshape their tactical approach.
Hakimi’s participation hangs in the balance
The Moroccan right-back, a key offensive outlet for Enrique’s side, is not expected to start the final. A thigh strain sustained during the Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich—nearly a month ago—has kept him sidelined, and his return to full training remains tentative. Hakimi now has just three days to prove his fitness before the team departs for Budapest, leaving his inclusion in the squad far from guaranteed.
Dembélé’s absence raises red flags
The PSG recently held an internal training match to maintain match sharpness, but Ousmane Dembélé was notably absent. The French winger has been sidelined since being substituted early in a recent league defeat to Paris FC. While Dembélé remains confident about his readiness for the final, his absence from the internal fixture suggests the medical team is erring on the side of caution. With the clock ticking, every moment counts for the former Barcelona star.
Arsenal poised to exploit any PSG weaknesses
Any absence of Hakimi and Dembélé would hand Arsenal a significant tactical advantage. Mikel Arteta’s side is already anticipating potential disruptions in PSG’s rhythm or cohesion, and Tuesday’s high-intensity training session in Paris could be a decisive moment. For Enrique, this session will be critical in determining whether his two stars can feature in what promises to be a historic clash against England’s new champions.
