As Paris Saint-Germain count down the days to the Champions League final against Arsenal, the French champions are facing an anxious wait over the fitness of two pivotal players. Achraf Hakimi and Ousmane Dembélé are both racing to prove their availability for the Saturday showdown in Budapest, with their potential absences casting a shadow over PSG's preparations. The internal friendly held at the Poissy campus on Saturday offered some positive signs, but the real story revolved around those not fully involved.
Hakimi, the marauding Moroccan right-back, sustained a thigh lesion during the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich on April 28. The injury forced him to miss subsequent outings, and despite an individual training session at the club's training ground on Saturday, his participation in the final remains uncertain. The PSG medical staff described his collective return as "imminent," but with only a handful of sessions left before the Arsenal clash, time is clearly against him. Hakimi's absence would severely disrupt PSG's attacking patterns on the right flank, where his overlapping runs and crossing ability are integral to Luis Enrique's system.
The 25-year-old was also in the spotlight off the pitch this week, having appeared before a French court in a separate matter. While not directly related to football, it adds an extra layer of distraction during a critical recovery period. If Hakimi fails to make the starting lineup, Enrique would likely turn to alternatives such as Nordi Mukiele, forcing a defensive reshuffle that could blunt PSG's offensive rhythm. The Moroccan international has been one of the team's most consistent performers this season, and his absence would be a major psychological blow for the squad.
Ousmane Dembélé's issue is less dramatic but equally concerning for the Parisian camp. The electric winger felt discomfort in his right calf during the recent friendly against Paris FC—a 2-1 defeat—and was substituted as a precaution. Post-match, the French international struck a confidently reassuring tone, telling broadcasters he expects to be "ready for the kick-off." PSG insiders echo that positivity, but his actual participation hinges on whether he can complete a full training session when the squad returns to work on Tuesday. Dembélé has been working individually, and the club is monitoring his progress with cautious optimism.
Dembélé has been a transformative presence since joining from Barcelona, providing the width and directness that PSG often lacked in previous European campaigns. His ability to stretch defenses and create one-on-one situations is a weapon Enrique has relied upon in the knockout stages. Losing him would not only rob the team of a genuine match-winner but also force a rethink of the attacking structure, potentially moving Kylian Mbappé into a wider role or altering the formation entirely. The former Dortmund man has also developed a strong understanding with Mbappé, making his potential absence doubly problematic.
Saturday's internal friendly at Poissy provided some encouraging glimpses. Nuno Mendes and Willian Pacho both returned after being rested for the Paris FC match, while Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz found the net in a competitive session played in front of hundreds of fans. However, the sight of Hakimi training alone and Dembélé restricted to individual drills served as a stark reminder of the fragility of PSG's preparations. The coaching staff had already conducted a video analysis session on Arsenal's patterns that morning, underlining how tactical work is well underway—but those plans remain contingent on player availability.
Historically, PSG have struggled with injuries in the defining moments of their Champions League campaigns. Memories of Neymar's metatarsal problems or Marco Verratti's muscular issues in previous semi-finals linger. This time, however, the squad depth is arguably stronger, with players like Mukiele, Marco Asensio, and Gonçalo Ramos capable of stepping in. Yet the drop-off in quality is unmistakable: Hakimi and Dembélé are not merely starters but difference-makers whose unique attributes are hard to replicate. Facing an Arsenal side that has been defensively resolute in Europe, PSG need all their weapons.
The timeline is unforgiving. With six days until the final, the Tuesday session becomes a make-or-break moment for Dembélé's chances. Hakimi, who has been sidelined longer, could be rushed back but would risk re-injury—a gamble no medical team wants to take in such a high-stakes match. PSG's caution is understandable: a Champions League final is not the occasion to test fitness, yet the pressure to field the strongest XI is immense. The club has already been deprived of the Coupe de France final, making the European showpiece their sole remaining shot at a major trophy this season.
Amid the uncertainty, the squad is drawing on the confidence of a season that saw them breeze to the Ligue 1 title with games to spare. That domestic dominance allowed rotations and rest periods, but the friendly loss to Paris FC—with a mix of first-team and youth players—served as a reminder that sharpness cannot be taken for granted. For Enrique, the challenge is to strike a balance between recovery and rhythm, ensuring his side is physically and mentally ready for Arsenal.
As the hours tick down to the kick-off at the Puskás Aréna, every update from the PSG camp will be scrutinized. For now, the official line is one of guarded positivity: Dembélé expects to be ready, and Hakimi's return is just around the corner. But until both are seen training fully with the group, doubts will linger. This final represents a defining moment for a club that has invested enormous sums to conquer Europe; the availability of two of its most dynamic talents could well tip the balance between glory and another near miss.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.
