PSG join Inter in Champions League final

PARIS (AP):

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN weathered one attack after another and showed remarkable adaptability yesterday to hold off and defeat an inspired Arsenal 2-1 to reach the Champions League final and have another shot at the title they crave.

Deprived of the ball possession they usually enjoy, PSG looked shaky early on but found answers by relying on counter-attacks and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to advance 3-1 on aggregate.

PSG reached the final of Europe’s elite tournament for just the second time in club history – they were runners-up five years ago – and did so in the first season following superstar Kylian Mbappé’s departure to Real Madrid.

The big hole left by Mbappé was not filled by yet another superstar. It was a major change at a club where, for more than a decade, owners had spent lavishly to attract big names such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi, and Neymar.

The club’s new approach allowed coach Luis Enrique to build a rejuvenated, rock-solid side playing some of the best football in Europe.

“I said from the first day that our goal was to work hard enough to be in a position to make history – and that remains our goal,” Enrique said. “To be the first to win the long-awaited trophy. This is a project that has evolved since last year, and I feel very comfortable here as a coach because I have the freedom and support from the president to build what we want, adapting to the market to put together a team that improves every day.”

The French club will try again for their first Champions League title when they face Inter Milan on May 31 in Munich.

Three-time European champions Inter defeated Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate in one of the greatest semi-finals in the competition’s history on Tuesday.

Yesterday, PSG broke the deadlock in the 27th minute from a set piece after the Arsenal defence cleared a free kick towards the edge of the area. The ball bounced into the path of Fabian Ruiz, who smashed a stunning half-volley into the back of the net.

2-0 win

Achraf Hakimi curled in a precise finish in the 72nd minute to make it 2-0 on the night, before Bukayo Saka pulled one back for the Gunners.

Arsenal had struggled early on last week in London – unable to cope with PSG’s intensity in midfield – and lost 1-0.

This time, boosted by the return of midfielder Thomas Partey, the Gunners mustered 61 attacks, compared to PSG’s 26.

The visitors’ dominance was quickly rewarded when Declan Rice rose high but missed his header, and Gabriel Martinelli saw his effort saved by Donnarumma.

Arsenal overwhelmed PSG on the flanks, and went close again in the eighth minute when Martin Ødegaard unleashed a low drive from outside the area that forced Donnarumma into another fine save.

PSG had little choice but to wait for chances on the counter-attack, and they were few.

Arsenal had another great opportunity soon after the hour mark when Saka curled a precise shot that seemed headed for the top corner, only for Donnarumma to stretch his long body and parry the ball away.

Vitinha then missed a penalty after a VAR check ruled a handball on Myles Lewis-Skelly. It was not long, though, before PSG doubled their lead as Hakimi swept the ball into the corner from substitute Ousmane Dembélé’s assist.

Arsenal kept attacking until the end and cut the deficit through Saka in the 76th minute.