Psg final preparation: internal clash ahead of arsenal showdown without two stars

With just seven days left before the highly anticipated UEFA Champions League final, Paris Saint-Germain orchestrated a high-octane internal scrimmage in Poissy to fine-tune their preparations. The training session, designed to simulate match conditions, featured two eleven-player teams battling it out for over an hour at the PSG Academy grounds. This final rehearsal before the May 30 showdown against Arsenal aimed to sharpen the squad’s edge ahead of the prestigious European showpiece.

Under the watchful eye of head coach Luis Enrique, the players delivered an intense performance. Two notable absentees—Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi—were not part of the fray but worked individually to maintain their rhythm. Their absence from the friendly did not raise any alarms, as the club confirmed both will be fit and ready for the clash in Budapest.

Squad lineup splits for final tune-up

The teams were divided as follows:

• Black Team: Marin – Fanne Drame, Zabarnyi, Hernandez, Mendes – Mayulu, Neves, Beraldo – Doué, Ramos, Barcola.
• White Team: Safonov – Zaïre-Emery, Pacho, Marquinhos, Cordier – Dro, Vitinha, Ruiz – Mbaye, Lee, Kvaratskhelia.

Notably, Nuno Mendes and Willian Pacho, who had missed the previous Ligue 1 fixture against Paris FC, were back in action. The session also saw young talents like Abdou Fanne Drame, Rayan Abo El Nay, Thomas Cordier, and Yanis Khafi get valuable minutes on the pitch. Up front, Vitinha, Ibrahim Mbaye, and Gonçalo Ramos found the net.

Fans and community get a taste of the final buzz

The closed-door match wasn’t just about the players. Around 1,000 ultras were invited to experience the pre-match atmosphere, a gesture of appreciation for their unwavering support throughout the season. The Collectif Ultras Paris seized the moment to rally behind the team, unfurling a banner that read, “Once it’s historic, twice it’s legendary.”

Adding to the occasion, more than 150 children from the PSG for Communities initiative were also present, personally invited by club president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi. The event concluded with Marquinhos and his teammates gifting jerseys and footballs to the supporters, a small token of gratitude for their passion.

Final stretch begins

The squad will enjoy a well-deserved rest on Sunday and Monday before regrouping on Tuesday for their final training block ahead of the Champions League final. The stage is set for Paris Saint-Germain to leave their mark in Budapest.