Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal meet at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final, with a place in the Munich final up for grabs. PSG led the tie 1-0 after Ousmane Dembélé’s early goal at the Emirates gave the French champions a narrow advantage. Both teams have everything to play for, and it’s set to be a big night in Paris.
First Leg Recap
PSG got off to a flying start in London, with Dembélé scoring inside the opening four minutes. The Parisians dominated the early stages but Arsenal grew into the game and had chances, forcing Gianluigi Donnarumma into saves from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. Despite Arsenal’s improved second-half display, they couldn’t find an equaliser and PSG took a valuable away win back to France. It was PSG’s first ever win over Arsenal in European competition.
Recent Form
PSG have not been great domestically, losing their last two Ligue 1 matches but with the league title already won, Luis Enrique has been rotating his squad and focusing entirely on the Champions League. PSG have lost just twice in their last ten home matches and have scored in 13 consecutive games.
Arsenal are struggling for form, winless in their last three games in all competitions and coming off a 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth. They haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last three matches and will need to find their away form – they are unbeaten in their last seven away games – to get back into the tie.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
PSG
- Ousmane Dembélé is a major doubt after picking up a hamstring injury in the first leg. If he misses out, Goncalo Ramos could start up front, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue likely to start on the flanks. The rest of the team is expected to be the same as the first leg.
- Probable XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Doue, Ramos, Kvaratskhelia* Thomas Partey returns from suspension and will start in midfield. Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are back in training and could play, while Mikel Merino is fit after a knock. Leandro Trossard may drop to the bench, with Merino preferred in the central attacking role.
- Probable XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli
Stats
- PSG have won only two of their last six games in all competitions.
- PSG have never been eliminated from a European knockout tie after winning the first leg away from home.
- Arsenal are winless in their last three games in all competitions.
- Arsenal have won their last two away games in all competitions.
- PSG have scored in both halves in 46% of their games this season; Arsenal in 27%.
- Arsenal have never overturned a first-leg home defeat in Europe in five previous attempts.
Player to Watch: Odegaard
The Arsenal captain has been under fire recently and will be in the spotlight in Paris. If Arsenal are to get back into this and make their first Champions League final in 19 years, Odegaard will need to control the tempo and be the creative spark.
PSG vs Arsenal Prediction
PSG have a narrow lead and Arsenal need to score, so expect an open and nervy game. PSG’s home form and attacking options make them slight favourites, but Arsenal’s away record in Europe this season suggests they won’t go down without a fight.
PSG 1-1 Arsenal
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