Arsenal and PSG Gear Up for Champions League Final as Semi-Finals Wrap Up
Only one game remains in the Champions League this season. Arsenal and PSG will clash in the final. As anticipation builds, we take a look at who made it into our semi-finals team of the round.
We focus solely on the second leg of the semi-finals, having previously highlighted the best XI from the first leg. Let’s get started.
GK: David Raya
David Raya was the only goalkeeper among the four to maintain a clean sheet, earning him a place in this XI by default. His performance against Atletico Madrid solidified his deserving selection, as he made several crucial saves while staying composed.
RB: Marc Pubill
Despite Atletico Madrid’s elimination, Marc Pubill stood out with a commendable effort. He effectively neutralized Leandro Trossard, finishing with a perfect tackle success rate. Speculation grows on whether he will feature in Spain’s 2026 World Cup squad.
CB: William Saliba
William Saliba delivered another solid performance, reinforcing his status as one of the best central defenders in the world. The French international made eight clearances, the most in the match, while also keeping a clean sheet.
CB: Gabriel
Gabriel matched Saliba’s performance, showcasing their formidable partnership. He recorded seven clearances and also achieved a perfect tackle success rate, stopping any incursions from Atletico on Tuesday night.
LB: Nuno Mendes
Nuno Mendes exhibited a well-rounded full-back performance against Bayern Munich. Although PSG focused on defense, the Portuguese international made valuable contributions down the left, completing four dribbles and preventing Bayern from threatening in the final third.
DM: Declan Rice
Declan Rice was outstanding against Atletico Madrid, managing the game’s rhythm and breaking up their plays in midfield. Currently, he is one of the top midfielders globally, showcasing a diverse range of skills at this stage of the World Cup.
CM: Joshua Kimmich
Joshua Kimmich put in a tremendous effort for Bayern against PSG, despite the team’s eventual defeat. He completed 78 successful passes, more than any other player, confirming his status among the world’s elite midfielders and his expected appearance for Germany at the World Cup.
CM: Joao Neves
Joao Neves displayed his defensive capabilities in the second leg, different from his attacking performance in the first. Despite being just 21, Neves played with the poise of a veteran, crucially aiding PSG’s journey to the final.
RW: Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka is on fire, also appearing in our most recent Premier League team of the week. The 24-year-old netted the decisive goal in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Atletico, showcasing his instincts as he capitalized on a loose ball to score.
LW: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was effective again against Bayern, maintaining pressure on the opposition despite less support than in the first leg. He assisted Ousmane Dembele’s opening goal, demonstrating his exceptional ball-carrying skills.
ST: Ousmane Dembele
Ousmane Dembele’s performance was quieter compared to the first leg, like many of his PSG teammates. Nevertheless, he scored a crucial goal with precise timing, finding a gap in Bayern’s defense early in the game. Although Bayern attempted a late comeback, it proved to be insufficient.