May 8 – French champions Paris Saint-Germain will take on Inter Milan in the final of the UEFA Champions League after defeating Arsenal 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
In the end, Arsenal had little to complain about following a 2-1 defeat in the second leg on Wednesday evening. After a night of great intensity and exhilarating box-to-box action, PSG’s young team merited victory and qualification, even if the margins were fine.
Arsenal had given it their all in a tie that had a different texture from Inter’s extraordinary elimination of FC Barcelona on Tuesday. The English Premier League (EPL) side had spoken of their confidence going into the away leg and they enjoyed a furious start with wave after wave of attacks, pressing high and recycling possession.
However, the Gunners, a goal down from the first leg, failed to capitalise: Declan Rice, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard all came close as PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma showcased premier shot-stopping ability to deny the London outfit.
Such was Arsenal’s intensity that the Parisians hardly crossed the halfway line. When they did, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia rattled the woodwork with a wicked curling effort.
PSG remained jittery, but the scenario that played out was ultimately familiar: Arsenal conceded after a spell of dominance.
From the edge of the box, Fabáin Ruiz produced a sensational strike which deflected off a defender and into the back of David Raya’s net. Désiré Doué then had the opportunity to decide the tie, but Raya provided a crucial save to keep the contest alive.
At the other end, Bukayo Saka tormented defenders, but Arsenal simply didn’t produce a final product. He prompted a wonderful save from Donnarumma in the second half from a perfectly weighted strike. The Italian strained every sinew to fingertip the ball over the bar.
Midway through the second period the hosts were awarded a contentious penalty, with an Achraf Hakimi strike hitting the outstreched arm of Myles Lewis-Skelly. However, Vitinha’s attempt was admirably denied by Raya.
It mattered little as Hakimi’s sweet 72nd-minute finish opened up a decisive 3-0 aggregate lead. Soon after, Saka poached a deserved consolation after substitute Leandro Trossard eased off Marquinhos.
With new impetus and the clock ticking down, the Arsenal number seven then squandered a glorious opportunity, somehow failing to convert a Riccardo Calafiori cross with an open goalmouth beckoning.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta struggled to accept defeat. He said: “Yes, for long periods of both legs we were much better than them. But we are not there [in the final], and that has to hurt. If we want to win this competition, we need to realise that and there are certain things that are on us.”
He added: “Over the two games the best player has been their goalkeeper.”
On May 31, Donnarumma and PSG will take on Inter Milan, who eliminated Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate in the other last-four tie, in the final at the Allianz Arena in Munich. PSG last won a European trophy in 2001, defeating Brescia in the Intertoto Cup.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1746704414labto1746704414ofdlr1746704414owedi1746704414sni@i1746704414tnuk.1746704414ardni1746704414mas1746704414