Paris Saint-Germain has secured its place in the Champions League final for the second year in a row, a feat not achieved by a reigning champion since Real Madrid's historic run nearly a decade ago. The French club advanced after a dramatic two-legged semi-final against German giants Bayern Munich.
The first leg was a thrilling, high-scoring affair that PSG won 5-4. Carrying that narrow advantage into the away leg in Munich, the team showed resilience. Forward Ousmane Dembélé gave PSG a crucial early lead in the 3rd minute, putting the aggregate score firmly in their favor. Despite Bayern's relentless pressure, the Parisian defense held strong for most of the match.
The tension peaked in the dying moments when Bayern's Harry Kane scored in the 94th minute to level the second leg at 1-1. However, it was too little, too late for the hosts. The final whistle confirmed PSG's 6-5 aggregate victory, sparking celebrations and booking their ticket to the final.
Following the match, PSG's head coach Luis Enrique shared his thoughts with the media. He reflected on the team's performance, stating, "The defense was superior to the attack. Our personality shown against a powerhouse like Bayern was truly magnificent." He emphasized the difficulty of the contest, calling it "a very intense match, and very difficult. They play football at the highest level."
The Spanish manager, who recently celebrated his birthday, conveyed his personal happiness and the significance of the achievement. "I am really happy to reach the next stage, the Champions League final. I want to deliver the best possible gift to our supporters," he said, looking ahead to the showpiece event.
This result places PSG in elite company. According to UEFA's official records, the last club to reach consecutive Champions League finals as the defending champion was Real Madrid, who achieved a three-peat between the 2015-16 and 2017-18 seasons. PSG now aims to emulate that success.
The Parisians will face English side Arsenal in the Champions League final, scheduled for the end of the month. The club will be seeking to defend the title they won for the first time last season, with Enrique at the helm for both campaigns.
Based on reporting from サッカーキング.