Good morning all.
Yes, it’s time to go again. Sunday and Monday was about celebration for the players and staff, now though, it’s back to training, preparing for one last game of the season. Arsenal v PSG at The Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary on Saturday evening. A 5pm kick off for those of watching in the UK, 6pm in Central Europe.
So how did both clubs get to the final?
Arsenal breezed through their league fixtures winning all eight matches and conceding just four goals.
Athletic Club 0 Arsenal 2
Arsenal 2 Olympiacos 0
Arsenal 4 Atletico Madrid 0
Slavia Prague 0 Arsenal 3
Arsenal 3 Bayern Munich 1
Club Brugge 0 Arsenal 3
Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 3
Arsenal 3 FK Kairat Almaty 2
When “people” try and suggest we had an easy route, the results above prove different. Inter, Atletico and Bayern, all despatched with relative ease. Then came the knockout round.
Bayer Leverkusen 1 Arsenal 1
Arsenal 2 Bayer Leverkusen 0
Sporting CP 0 Arsenal 1
Arsenal 0 Sporting CP 0
Atletico Madrid 1 Arsenal 1
Arsenal 1 Atletico 0
Job done, Budapest here we come.
PSG’s route looks like this:
PSG 4 Atalanta 0
Barcelona 1 PSG 2
Bayer Leverkusen 2 PSG 7
PSG 1 Bayern Munich 2
PSG 5 Totts 3
Athletic Club 0 PSG 0
Sporting CP 2 PSG 1
PSG 1 Newcastle 1
Their results left them needing a playoff fixture to qualify for the knockout stage.
Monaco 2 PSG 3
PSG 2 Monaco 2
PSG 5 Chelsea 2
Chelsea 0 PSG 3
PSG 2 Liverpool 0
Liverpool 0 PSG 2
PSG 5 Bayern Munich 4
Bayern Munich 1 PSG 1
Off to Budapest they go.
Whilst pundits etc suggested the 5-4 match against Bayern was brilliant, I think it showed that both clubs can score goals yet perhaps neither club are solid at the back. Take our semi final against them last year, I know they scored goals but had it not been for Donnarumma, the result in both legs might have been very different, especially the one in France. Thankfully, he won’t be between the sticks next Saturday. Instead it’ll be either French international Lucas Chevalier (6’ 2”) or Russian number one Matvey Safonov (6’ 4”).
Meanwhile, in the other semifinal, two defences were battling it out to be the best over the two legs. A battle which Mikel Arteta’s team came out on top of. But for a different handball ruling in Europe, bonkers I know as it’s the same game and rules should be the same everywhere, Arsenal would have kept a clean sheet in both legs. We’d have had a second penalty too had the referee stood by his initial decision with the Ebe Eze foul, especially as there was no evidence of him making a clear and obvious error. These referees need to grown a pair and have more belief in themselves rather just go with VAR. After all, it’s nothing more than someone else’s opinion. The old ‘anywhere else on the pitch and that’s a foul’ mantra is ridiculous as a foul is a foul regardless of where it’s committed.
Let’s hope the officials, including VAR don’t ruin what could be a fabulous football match this Saturday.
Catch up in the comments.
Hi Rico, and all. Yes, Donnarumma was the difference in those two games and, yes their CL campaign was less than convincing. They are powered by a nation state and have an impressive coach and team (tho’ I read there are doubts about Hakimi’s fitness), but I fancy us. Our boys have come through a hugely demanding season, they are battle hardened. PSG have walked their league but plonk them in the EPL and I don’t think they’d get top four.
I’d have loved to see a fit Timber up against Kvaratskhelia, but that may be a bridge to far for the Dutchman. I don’t think Zubi is quick enough to fill in at right back, so likely Mosquera. But what of the other roles? Kai or Gyo, MO8 or Eze, Cala or Piero, Leo or Gabby? Big choices for Mikel. Lord, give him wisdom.
Good morning Rico. 5 stars again.
Just a one off game, all or nothing. May the best side win and may Var not get involved.
Morning Stuart, Cicero. Thank you.
Mosquera for me too unless Timber is 100%.
A ref like the one at Palace would be ideal. No fuss, no drama and just let the game flow.
I reckon Arteta will go with Gyokeres up top, Rice and MLS. Odegaard is likely to start too imo, with Trossard and Saka. The back five picks itself really.