We’ve arrived at another UEFA Champions League final! This championship is one of the most important events in the world of football, or soccer if you prefer. The world cup will overshadow this year’s Champions League, like it does every four years, but it will still be a great final that will mesmerize fans and newcomers alike.
This final has an attack heavy PSG facing a game managing Arsenal.
PSG
PSG has an attack that rivals the best in Europe. Their attack comprises a full frontal attack with fullbacks that act like secondary wingers, a high block press that lives on the opponents own half of the field as much as possible and individual talent constantly showing up in big moments. Their chemistry has been amazing with a Kvaratskhelia that’s been a constant danger on the left wing, a Dembélé, when healthy, that’s shown amazing attack positioning for crucial goals, a Vitinha controlling the play making from deep in the midfield, etc. You could go on and on signaling the individual strengths this team has because it is one of the best in the world.
Arsenal
Arsenal tends to follow a different strategy. They like to manage the flow and time of the game. There’s times you see them attacking heavily in the early minutes of the game until they score. When they do score they tend to sit back with a low block press to allow their players to recover their stamina and defend their temporary victory. They also slow down the pace of the game in different ways. They have world class players as well with a manager in Arteta that is doing a tremendous job taking an often underachieving Arsenal to the Champions League final. One criticism they receive is that on set pieces they tend to use their physicality and unsportsmanlike strategies to score. Oftentimes they’re called out for screening and blocking the opposing goalie and defenders from reaching the ball. Overall Arsenal have their own style of play that got them to another final after two decades.
How it might play out
In my opinion I see it being very intense in the first twenty minutes. If there’s a mistake by either team there’s going to be a goal. If it stays goalless I think Arsenal are going to sit back a little and slow down the game. PSG have a slight advantage down their left flank because of Arsenal’s right back injured players. PSG will have to be mindful when they do full frontal attacks however, Arsenal has fast attackers that can capitalize the counter. One thing I have noticed is that Gyökeres misses big chances sometimes so a counter in this scenario loses a tiny bit of its danger. When Arsenal does get possession of the ball they’ll slowly try to push the ball up. This is where Saka and Ødegaard have been very good at being the difference makers elevating an ordinary play into a dangerous one. Overall I don’t think PSG will blowout the score like last year’s final against Inter de Milan, I think the match will be won by a narrow margin.
Predicting result
I think PSG will be crowned champions once again with a 3-1 victory. Whichever team successfully dominates the game with their style the longest will have the better chances of scoring. This previous sentence is an obvious statement but I think these two teams have each mastered their style so well that it really will come down to which team’s style dominates the match. I hope it will be an entertaining match for us all in one of football/ soccer’s most prestigious matches.
