Paris Saint-Germain held its final training session in Budapest on May 13, 2026 [2], preparing for the UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal.
The session serves as the critical final assessment of the squad's fitness and tactical readiness before the championship match. For PSG, the stakes are heightened by the health of two pivotal starters who have missed recent activity.
Concerns mounted after Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi were absent from the team's last training session on Saturday [3]. The absence of these two key players [1] created uncertainty regarding their availability for the final. Both athletes are essential components of the PSG offensive and defensive transitions, and their ability to start could dictate the team's strategic approach against Arsenal.
Despite the initial absences, reports indicated that the injured duo was set to return to training [3]. The team's coaching staff must now determine if the players have regained enough match fitness to withstand the intensity of a European final. The training in Budapest focused heavily on goalkeeper preparation and final tactical drills as the club seeks its first major victory in the competition.
Broadcasting for the event remains extensive, with 185 UEFA Champions League matches being carried by HBO Max and TNT Sports [4]. This high level of visibility adds immense pressure to the squad's final preparations in Hungary.
PSG's ability to integrate Dembélé and Hakimi into the starting lineup remains the primary variable for the technical staff. The team's performance in these final hours of preparation will determine whether they can overcome the tactical hurdles posed by Arsenal's defense.
“Dembélé and Hakimi were absent in PSG's last training session on Saturday.”
The fitness of Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi represents a significant tactical pivot for PSG. If both players are cleared to start, PSG can deploy their preferred high-tempo attacking system; however, their absence would force the manager to rely on reserve players for a high-stakes final, potentially reducing the team's creative output and defensive stability on the flanks.
