PSG final push: internal intensity builds ahead of Champions League showdown

With just seven days remaining before Paris Saint-Germain’s high-stakes Champions League final, the club’s training ground in Poissy buzzed with intensity this past Saturday. Luis Enrique orchestrated a high-tempo intra-squad match to sharpen his side’s edge ahead of the May 30 showdown against Arsenal in Budapest. The clash, played over 60 minutes on the PSG Campus pitch, served as the last dress rehearsal before the marquee event.

Absentees don’t spark concerns as Dembélé and Hakimi work solo

The final preparation session saw two key figures sidelined from the friendly fixture: Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi. While the Ballon d’Or recipient and Moroccan defender skipped the on-pitch action, they trained separately, maintaining sharpness without risking injury. Club insiders report no alarm bells—both are expected to feature prominently in Budapest come next weekend. Nuno Mendes and Willian Pacho, also absent during the recent Ligue 1 fixture against Paris FC, were back in action, reinforcing the squad’s depth.

Youth stepped up as first-teamers found the net

Luis Enrique handed opportunities to academy talents Abdou Fanne Drame, Rayan Abo El Nay, Thomas Cordier, and Yanis Khafi, blending experience with promise. The session’s attacking output shone through as Vitinha, Ibrahim Mbaye, and Gonçalo Ramos each found the back of the net, while the tactical structure mirrored the intensity of a real competitive match.

1,000 ultras and 150 kids add electric atmosphere to final prep

The internal fixture doubled as a thank-you to the club’s most loyal supporters, with 1,000 ultras invited to the Campus PSG for what became a near-stadium experience. The Collectif Ultras Paris unfurled a banner declaring, “Once is historic, twice is legendary.” Adding to the festive mood, over 150 children from the PSG for Communities initiative, personally welcomed by President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, soaked in the pre-final buzz.

Post-match, team captain Marquinhos and his colleagues presented jerseys and balls to the young fans and ultras—a gesture underscoring the club’s bond with its community. With a rest day on Sunday and Monday, training resumes Tuesday as the Parisians enter the final stretch toward Budapest.