Paris Saint-Germain face a critical fitness battle ahead of Saturday's Champions League final against Arsenal in Budapest, with two pivotal players struggling to recover from injury. Right-back Achraf Hakimi and winger Ousmane Dembele both missed PSG's in-house friendly this week, raising serious questions about their availability for the Puskas Arena showdown.
Hakimi has been sidelined since sustaining a thigh injury during the Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich nearly four weeks ago. According to reports, the Moroccan international is not expected to return to full training until Wednesday—leaving him just three days to prove his fitness before the squad departs for Hungary. Luis Enrique's plans for the right flank have been severely disrupted, as Hakimi's attacking prowess from defence represents a unique tactical asset the PSG manager has relied upon throughout the campaign.
Dembele's Absence Raises Caution
The situation intensified when Dembele was notably absent from PSG's 20-minute-per-half friendly fixture designed to maintain match sharpness. The former Barcelona winger has battled a knock since being substituted early in a domestic defeat to Paris FC, and the medical department's cautious approach suggests they are prioritizing his recovery over short-term game time. Despite missing the internal session, Dembele has publicly expressed confidence in his ability to start the final, though his absence signals genuine concern within the club.
The combined loss of both players would fundamentally alter PSG's tactical balance heading into Europe's biggest club match. Arsenal's coaching staff will view these injury doubts as a significant advantage, particularly as Mikel Arteta's side arrives as the newly-crowned Premier League champions riding immense confidence after ending a 22-year domestic title drought. The Gunners will target any gaps in PSG's defensive cohesion or wing play if either player fails to reach full sharpness.
Tuesday Training Session Decisive
PSG's scheduled high-intensity training session on Tuesday represents the critical moment for both players to demonstrate they can handle the demands of a European final. Enrique faces an agonizing selection puzzle with only days remaining, while PSG attempt to defend their continental crown despite being far from full strength. The outcome of that training session will determine whether the Parisians can field their intended starting XI or whether they must reshuffle their attack and defence against an in-form English opponent.
