Italy international Riccardo Calafiori is reportedly slated to start at left-back for Arsenal in the Champions League final against reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain. The highly anticipated match is scheduled for Saturday evening in Budapest.
PSG aims to defend their title, which they secured last year with a dominant 5-0 victory over Inter Milan. They will face an Arsenal side that has recently been crowned Premier League champions and is eager to capture Europe’s most prestigious club trophy for the first time.
Despite PSG’s defending champions status, Arsenal topped the league phase with a flawless record of eight wins from eight matches. Mikel Arteta’s team then advanced through the knockout rounds, defeating Bayer Leverkusen in the Round of 16, Sporting CP in the quarter-finals, and Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals.
Paris Saint-Germain, on the other hand, earned their place in the final by overcoming Chelsea, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich in their respective knockout ties.
Pre-match intelligence suggests that Italy’s Calafiori will form part of Arsenal’s defensive line at left-back in Budapest. He is expected to be joined by Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, and Gabriel Magalhaes in the Gunners’ back four.
This marks Calafiori’s debut appearance in a Champions League final, and he is noted as the sole Italian player with a chance to participate in the game.
The PSG squad includes several players familiar to Serie A followers, such as former Inter wing-back Achraf Hakimi, ex-Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, as well as Marquinhos and Fabian Ruiz.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 17:00 BST.
Champions League Final: PSG vs. Arsenal Probable Line-ups
PSG (4-3-3): Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, N. Mendes; J. Neves, Vitinha, F. Ruiz; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Zubimendi; Saka, Ødegaard, Trossard; Gyökeres.