Luis Enrique leads PSG to Champions League final after win over Arsenal
PSG reach second Champions League final after 3-1 aggregate win over Arsenal as Luis Enrique eyes historic title.
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| Fabian Ruiz Peña #8 of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates with teammates Achraf Hakimi #2 and Joao Neves #87 after scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 semi-final second leg match against Arsenal FC at Parc des Princes in Paris, France, on May 7, 2025. Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images |
By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini
Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique declared his side worthy finalists after securing a place in the UEFA Champions League final with a 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the second leg of their semi-final clash on Wednesday. The result at Parc des Princes ensured a 3-1 aggregate win for the French champions, marking a dramatic turnaround from a shaky group stage campaign earlier in the season.
The match saw goals from Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi on either side of halftime, which put the tie beyond Arsenal’s reach. Although Bukayo Saka pulled one back for the Premier League side, and Vitinha missed a penalty, PSG’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma played a crucial role with a string of vital saves that kept the Gunners at bay.
Speaking after the match, Luis Enrique emphasized that his team had earned their place in the final through resilience and progress. “Over the two legs we scored more goals than them and in football it’s the most important thing,” the Spaniard said. “But Arsenal played a great game and we suffered a lot.”
A path of redemption after a rough start
Reaching the Champions League final marks a remarkable turnaround for PSG under Luis Enrique. The team’s early struggles in the league phase of the tournament had put their knockout stage hopes in jeopardy. They lost three of their first five matches, including a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in London, and finished 15th out of 36 in the league standings—eight points adrift of table-toppers Liverpool.
Yet Enrique, who is celebrating his 55th birthday this week, believes those tough experiences helped shape a stronger, more focused squad.
“I think throughout the competition it is clear that the results are what count,” he said. “But in the league phase there is no doubt we deserved nine points more. The fact we had such a difficult set of fixtures helped the team improve and grow.”
A final built on big wins
Luis Enrique’s PSG side has already eliminated three English clubs en route to the final. After finishing just above the cut in the new league format, they stunned Liverpool in the round of 16 and swept past Aston Villa in the quarter-finals. Now, with Arsenal dispatched, only Inter Milan stand in the way of a historic achievement.
“It is the match in which we suffered the most in the Champions League, but we deserve to get to the final,” Enrique said. “The statistics showed we were one of the best teams in Europe. When we started to be more clinical, we showed that we deserve to be in the final.”
PSG will now face Italian giants Inter Milan in the final in Munich on May 31. It will be the club’s second-ever appearance in the competition’s final. Their previous outing in 2020 ended in heartbreak with a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich in Lisbon.
Enrique’s project nears fruition
When Luis Enrique took over at PSG last season, he spoke openly about his long-term goal of turning the club into a true European powerhouse. Last year, PSG fell short in the semi-finals against Borussia Dortmund. This time, they have gone one step further, reflecting a steady progression under his leadership.
“There is no logic in football,” Enrique said, “but the first day I was here I said the objective was to work towards making history. That is our goal—to be the first to win this so-desired trophy for PSG.”
The coach's mix of tactical adaptability and man-management has been credited with rejuvenating the team. Veteran players such as Donnarumma and Marquinhos have remained key, while younger stars like Warren Zaïre-Emery and Manuel Ugarte have risen to the occasion under Enrique’s guidance.
Donnarumma the difference as Arsenal fall short
Despite the scoreline, Arsenal pushed PSG to their limits, especially in the second leg in Paris. Mikel Arteta’s team created several chances, with Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Martinelli testing Donnarumma throughout the match. However, the Italian shot-stopper’s commanding performance between the posts helped secure the win.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed frustration at the result, suggesting that his side had been superior across both legs. “I believe we were better over the two games,” he said. “But in the end, it’s the goals that count.”
The road to Munich
The upcoming final against Inter Milan promises to be a compelling showdown. Inter, who reached the final by defeating Atletico Madrid in their semi-final, boast a well-organized defense and a dangerous attack led by Lautaro MartÃnez. PSG, meanwhile, will enter the match with momentum and a renewed sense of belief.
For Luis Enrique, the match offers the chance to join a select group of managers who have won the Champions League with two different clubs, having previously lifted the trophy with Barcelona in 2015.
As preparations begin for the final in Munich, PSG’s players and fans are dreaming of a historic night that could finally see the club capture the elusive European crown.
A legacy in the making
Luis Enrique’s impact on PSG goes beyond tactical shifts or lineup selections. He has brought a new mindset to a club often accused of lacking European pedigree. Under his leadership, PSG are not only winning but evolving—playing with more discipline, intelligence, and cohesion.
This final could be the culmination of a journey that began with uncertainty and doubt. With Luis Enrique at the helm, PSG now have the belief and the form to go all the way.
As the coach himself said, “To win this trophy is not just a dream. It’s our objective.”
