Luis Enrique will celebrate his 55th birthday this Thursday, a day after Paris Saint-Germain secured their place in the Champions League final, the second in their history, after defeating Arsenal with an aggregate score of 3-1.
The French team, led by a prominent Gianluigi Donnarumma, who made crucial saves, will face Inter Milan in the final.
A promising project
In two seasons, Luis Enrique has led the club to the semi-finals and the final, consolidating a young project with great potential.
The victory was forged with sacrifice and strategy, key elements in the style of “Lucho”, who seeks his second final in the continental competition, after the one achieved in 2015 with Barcelona.
Arsenal tried to reverse the situation, but Donnarumma frustrated their initial attempts.
Arteta’s plan, Arsenal’s coach, sought to control the midfield and generate danger, although he left spaces that PSG knew how to take advantage of.
PSG’s first warning came with a shot hitting the post, followed by missed opportunities.
Fabián Ruiz scored the first goal for PSG, following a defensive error by Arsenal.
Ruiz’s goal, his first in 46 Champions League matches, rewarded his great season.
Hakimi extended the lead for PSG.
Saka scored for Arsenal, but PSG kept calm.
Arsenal tried to tie, but PSG, already with their sights set on the final, knew how to maintain their advantage.
The match ended with PSG qualifying for their second final.
Technical specifications:
Paris SG: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes (Ramos, m.88); Vitinha, Joao Neves, Fabián Ruiz; Barcola (Dembélé, m.70), Doué (Hernandez, m.74), Kvaratskhelia
Arsenal: Raya; Timber (White, m.83), Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly (Calafiori, m.68); Partey, Odegaard, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli (Trossard, m.69)
Goals: 1-0, m.27: Fabián Ruiz; 2-0, m.72: Hakimi; 2-1, m.76: Saka.
Referee: Felix Zwayer (GER). Booked the home players Nuno Mendes (m.18) and Kvaratskhelia (86), and the away players Rice (26), Lewis-Skelly (56), Calafiori (86) and Saka (86).
