Key Talking Points Ahead of PSG vs Arsenal Champions League Final

The match ball is on display prior to a press conference, in Budapest, Hungary, 29 May 2026. (EPA)
The match ball is on display prior to a press conference, in Budapest, Hungary, 29 May 2026. (EPA)
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Key Talking Points Ahead of PSG vs Arsenal Champions League Final

The match ball is on display prior to a press conference, in Budapest, Hungary, 29 May 2026. (EPA)
The match ball is on display prior to a press conference, in Budapest, Hungary, 29 May 2026. (EPA)

Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain face Arsenal in Saturday's final in Budapest aiming to defend their crown.

The Gunners have never won the trophy but after clinching the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years Mikel Arteta's side believe they can dethrone the French champions.

AFP Sport looks at five key talking points ahead of the clash at the Puskas Arena.

Arsenal's set-piece threat

This season Arteta's team have sometimes struggled to create from open play, but they have produced incredible danger from dead ball situations.

Arsenal's physical players cause havoc at corners, particularly center-back Gabriel Magalhaes, and they will look to put PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov under heavy pressure, perhaps their weakest link.

Set piece coach Nicolas Jover is considered the best in the business and nearly 40 percent of Arsenal's goals in their run to the Premier League title came from dead ball situations.

"People may say that they don't score team goals, but who cares about that?" said PSG coach Luis Enrique, acknowledging Arsenal's effective tactics. "Ask any Arsenal fan and I'm sure they're delighted."

PSG's strong left flank

Arsenal are boosted by Jurrien Timber's return to fitness after a groin injury, particularly given the biggest problem for Arteta to solve is how to handle PSG's left flank.

Winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has arguably been the competition's best player, scoring 10 goals for the French side, and behind him at left-back Nuno Mendes is a dynamic force going forward.

Arteta must decide whether to put Timber straight into the line-up after two-and-a-half months out, or if he will deploy center-back Cristhian Mosquera on the right.

Declan Rice has also been used there in Timber's absence but the midfielder will be vital in the center of the pitch up against PSG's Vitinha.

Mileage check

Many of Arsenal's likely starting line-up in the final have played over 3,000 minutes each this season across all competitions, with Declan Rice, William Saliba, Gabriel, Martin Zubimendi and David Raya hitting 4,000.

Arteta has stayed faithful to a core of players and insisted his team should not use fatigue as an "excuse".

"That's the context and that's the scenario, and we have to embrace it and especially enjoy the opportunity," said the Spanish coach last month, in the thick of the title race.

By contrast, Luis Enrique has been able to rotate and rest many of his first choice players in Ligue 1 as PSG claimed their 12th title in the last 14 years.

Only Willian Pacho, Vitinha and Warren Zaire-Emery have more than 3,000 minutes banked this season.

"Rest is also an integral part of preparation, especially when we're playing matches like these," said Luis Enrique before the final.

PSG did compete at the Club World Cup last summer though, increasing the need for the Asturian coach to balance his players' game-time.

Clean sheet machine

The statistics of both sides lead many to imagine the final will turn out to be a question of whether the "unstoppable force" of PSG can break down Arsenal's "immovable object".

Arsenal have conceded just six goals in the tournament, staying unbeaten, and goalkeeper David Raya has nine clean sheets, matching the all-time record.

In front of him Gabriel and William Saliba form a formidable center-back pairing for Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele to try and break through, amply supported by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue.

PSG have scored 44 goals in the tournament, one short of the record of 45 set by Barcelona in the 1999-2000 campaign.

A Luis Enrique surprise

PSG outgunned Bayern Munich with a thrilling 5-4 victory in the first leg of the semi-final clash, leaving the world licking their lips and waiting for more entertainment from the second leg.

However, wily coach Luis Enrique changed his gameplan considerably and PSG played far more conservatively in Munich, securing a 1-1 draw to reach the final.

Always keen to spring a surprise on his opponents, Luis Enrique said the Ligue 1 champions would adapt their game to face Arsenal.

"We'll have to adapt to play and defend in a different way compared to what we usually do if we want to get the better of them," said Luis Enrique.

Goalkeeper Safonov blasted the ball off the pitch several times, as a strategy to congest the areas around dangerous Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise.

"We have analyzed everything they do in every phase," said Arteta.

"We've prepared the possible scenarios. We try to understand the purpose behind what they do and what they want to achieve."



Koeman Defends Defensive Approach After Netherlands Exit World Cup

 Ronald Koeman, head coach of Netherlands, speaks during a press conference in Monterrey, Mexico, 28 June 2026. (EPA)
Ronald Koeman, head coach of Netherlands, speaks during a press conference in Monterrey, Mexico, 28 June 2026. (EPA)
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Koeman Defends Defensive Approach After Netherlands Exit World Cup

 Ronald Koeman, head coach of Netherlands, speaks during a press conference in Monterrey, Mexico, 28 June 2026. (EPA)
Ronald Koeman, head coach of Netherlands, speaks during a press conference in Monterrey, Mexico, 28 June 2026. (EPA)

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said ‌they went with a more defensive approach against Morocco to give them a better chance of winning rather than out of any fear of their opponents, after his side were eliminated from the World Cup on Monday.

Koeman made no apologies for fielding five defenders, even if he expects a torrent of criticism in the wake of their 3-2 shootout defeat following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

Koeman, who has previously had to deal with disapproval after diverting from the traditional “Dutch school” of attacking football, felt playing with five at the back was the ‌right strategy to ‌overcome the North Africans.

“With this defensive approach, we ‌gave ⁠away much less ⁠than we did during the (group) matches," said the coach, who added he would decide on his future with the side after reflecting on the team’s elimination.

"That was positive, but also we were less offensive.

“You can think of the tactics whatever you like, but we gave away much less against a team much stronger than Sweden and Tunisia. And if ⁠I had to do it again, I would ‌do it the same way again.

“I also ‌know that if Morocco hadn’t equalized with that late goal, there would ‌be all sorts of compliments for me as the Dutch coach, ‌but now, probably, I'm going to be scolded for the fact that I chose five defenders, but once again, I believe it was necessary.”

Koeman said he had discussed the approach with his players, and they had agreed.

“You will ‌criticize me, and that's your right, but you watch football from the sidelines,” he told reporters.

“I'm with ⁠the team. I ⁠knew what needed to be improved. This is how I improved it. And once again, if I had to do it again, I would have done exactly the same.

“It was not about being afraid. That's not what it was about at all. Why afraid? I mean, we had three strikers on the field,” he added in a testy exchange.

“This is about a better defensive position, not out of fear, but based on an analysis of the opposition, and we can keep discussing this until tomorrow evening.

"You have your opinion, with all due respect, that's fine. But I have a different view,” Koeman added.

Morocco advanced to a last-16 meeting with Canada in Houston on Saturday.


Morocco ‘Unstoppable’ Says Coach After Netherlands Thriller

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Netherlands v Morocco - Estadio Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico - June 29, 2026 Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi and Bilal El Khannouss celebrate after the match as Morocco qualify for the round of 16 stage of the World Cup. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Netherlands v Morocco - Estadio Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico - June 29, 2026 Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi and Bilal El Khannouss celebrate after the match as Morocco qualify for the round of 16 stage of the World Cup. (Reuters)
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Morocco ‘Unstoppable’ Says Coach After Netherlands Thriller

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Netherlands v Morocco - Estadio Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico - June 29, 2026 Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi and Bilal El Khannouss celebrate after the match as Morocco qualify for the round of 16 stage of the World Cup. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Netherlands v Morocco - Estadio Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico - June 29, 2026 Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi and Bilal El Khannouss celebrate after the match as Morocco qualify for the round of 16 stage of the World Cup. (Reuters)

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi believes his team is primed to make a deep run at the World Cup, declaring that the Atlas Lions could be "unstoppable" if they play to their potential.

The Moroccans, beaten semi-finalists at the 2022 World Cup, advanced to the last 16 on Monday after winning a thrilling battle with the Netherlands on penalties in Monterrey.

It was another stylish display by the African champions, who dominated for long periods in a match that finished 1-1 after extra-time.

Ouahbi said Moroccan football is now reaping the benefits of the 2022 team's groundbreaking exploits in becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

"The World Cup in Qatar changed the mentality of the Morocco team, and I'm well placed to speak about this," said Ouahbi, who last year coached Morocco to a momentous victory at the Under-20 World Cup in Chile.

Morocco forward #09 Soufiane Rahimi celebrates with fans after winning in the shootout during the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between the Netherlands and Morocco at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe on June 29, 2026. (AFP)

"Moroccan players in Morocco believe in themselves, the supporters, the fans believe in us as well. It's so important. They're demanding, but it's because they know just how far we can go," he said.

Morocco face co-hosts Canada in the last 16, with a potential quarter-final meeting with France looming on the horizon.

Ouahbi said there would be no question of complacency against Canada.

"We know that it's game after game, and people think that it's kept to be easy for us, it's going to be a walk in the park for Morocco, which is not the case. Canada is a team that is going to be difficult for us."

But Ouahbi said Morocco could go even further than the 2022 team if they fired on all cylinders.

"What we need to be telling ourselves is no one can stop us," he said. "We're unstoppable if we play the football that we know how to play.

The Moroccan team starts to celebrate after winning on penalty kicks the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the Netherlands and Morocco in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP)

"But nobody is unbeatable. And I tell my guys that as well. If we get things wrong, we'll go home, and we need to ensure that we have all the tools that we're using, the tools in our arsenal to go as far as we can, and that's the mentality that we want all of our players in Morocco to have."

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman meanwhile said Morocco's emergence reflected the quality of African football.

"It's very clear watching this World Cup that African teams have greatly improved in tactical sense, and also in the way they play their matches," Koeman said.

"Morocco is the country that, in terms of talents, really generates good players, young players that continue to join the major clubs in Europe. It's not without a reason why they have a higher ranking than the Netherlands."


Coach: Paraguay's Players Are Now Legends after Shootout Win over Germany

Paraguay's head coach Gustavo Alfaro celebrates with his players after winning the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match Germany against Paraguay, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 29 June 2026.  EPA/GREG COOPER
Paraguay's head coach Gustavo Alfaro celebrates with his players after winning the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match Germany against Paraguay, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 29 June 2026. EPA/GREG COOPER
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Coach: Paraguay's Players Are Now Legends after Shootout Win over Germany

Paraguay's head coach Gustavo Alfaro celebrates with his players after winning the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match Germany against Paraguay, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 29 June 2026.  EPA/GREG COOPER
Paraguay's head coach Gustavo Alfaro celebrates with his players after winning the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match Germany against Paraguay, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 29 June 2026. EPA/GREG COOPER

Paraguay's players have turned themselves into football legends by defeating Germany in the World Cup on Monday, coach Gustavo Alfaro said.

"We never believe that we are beaten," Alfaro told reporters after his team's penalty shootout victory. "Twenty-six warriors went out there and they came back as legends."

The Argentine coach had come under criticism after Paraguay lost their opener 4-1 to co-hosts the United States, and scored only one more goal in their other two group matches.

However, they squeezed into the ⁠knockout rounds and ⁠then stunned Germany 4-3 on penalties after the teams were tied 1-1 over 120 minutes, handing the four-time champions their first-ever World Cup shootout defeat.

Alfaro said the heavy defeat by the United States had paved the way for Monday's historic win.

"If we had not learned from ⁠the loss, we would not have been prepared for this match," Reuters quoted him as saying. "I told the players that we have lived through an epic evening."

Paraguay opened the scoring against the run of play in the 42nd minute with a Julio Enciso header before Kai Havertz equalized in the 54th minute.

The South Americans then dug in, surviving a disallowed German goal and hanging on for penalties.

Jose Canale hammered home the winning kick, but only after two of ⁠his teammates ⁠failed to convert theirs.

"As things always are with us, we don't do things without suffering," Alfaro said, adding a special tribute for Canale whose professional career has been marked by loan spells with clubs in Paraguay, Argentina and Mexico.

"Canale is one of life's champions because he has had to go through a lot of adversity," Alfaro said. "A night like this is one of the gifts that life can give you. It's divine justice."

Paraguay will face either France or Sweden in the round of 16 on July 4.