Paris Saint-Germain is set to face Arsenal at home in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals on Wednesday, aiming to follow up their 1-0 victory in the first leg in London. Coach Luis Enrique`s side seeks another decisive performance against Mikel Arteta`s squad.
PSG`s lineup receives a boost with the return of forward Ousmane Dembele, who has recovered from a hamstring issue sustained after scoring the winning goal in the first leg. Key attacking players like Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are expected to start, supported in midfield by Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, and Joao Neves. Ahead of the match, which could be one of PSG`s most significant in recent history as they target only their second Champions League final (after losing in 2020 to Bayern Munich), coach Luis Enrique shared his thoughts.
“One of my goals since joining the club has been to offer our fans an attractive playing style that makes them proud,” Luis Enrique stated. He confirmed Dembele`s readiness: “Ousmane Dembele will be available for the game. He trained with us two days in a row.” However, despite being available, Dembele was named among the substitutes for the match, possibly not deemed ready to play the full 90 minutes.
How to watch PSG vs. Arsenal and odds
- Date: Wednesday, May 7 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Parc des Princes — Paris, France
- Live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: PSG +109; Draw +263; Arsenal +234
Arsenal faces more significant injury challenges compared to the home team. Several players are unavailable for the second leg, including Jorginho, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Riccardo Calafiori. However, Thomas Partey returns to the squad after serving a one-match suspension in the first leg. He is anticipated to start in the midfield trio alongside Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, playing behind a likely attacking front three of Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Martinelli. Here are the projected starting lineups:
Lineups
PSG probable XI: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Joao Neves; Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia
Arsenal probable XI: David Raya; Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino, Gabriel Martinelli
Dominic Ashworth