UMVA has learned that Paris Saint-Germain held a high-stakes friendly match at their training ground in preparation for their upcoming Champions League showdown with Arsenal.
The special training match, described as a ‘full-scale rehearsal’, took place on Saturday with 1,000 fans in attendance at the club’s training base in Poissy. The squad was divided into two starting XIs, with head coach Luis Enrique opting to pit his likely first-choice team against a secondary lineup.
The high-intensity session, which lasted just over an hour, saw players like Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, and Desire Doue face off against Marquinhos, Vitinha, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. This match served as a crucial test for the team ahead of their meeting with the Gunners in Budapest.
However, two notable players were absent from the match: Ousmane Dembele and Achraf Hakimi. Both players trained individually, with their absences being a precautionary measure to avoid any risks.
Dembele had suffered a muscle issue in his right calf during PSG’s final league match of the season, but he has assured that he will be fit to face Arsenal. ‘I’m doing very well,’ he said. ‘I had a slight scare, but I’m fine and I’ll be ready for the final.’
Hakimi, who has been out with a muscle injury since the semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich, is also expected to be available for the Champions League final. His return would be a significant boost to the team.
Meanwhile, Arsenal has one more Premier League game remaining against Crystal Palace on Sunday. The match could provide an opportunity for manager Mikel Arteta to rest some players before the Champions League final.
