In a thrilling encounter at the Emirates Stadium, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) edged past Arsenal with a narrow 1-0 victory in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals. The match, marked by intensity and excitement, saw Ousmane Dembélé net the only goal just three minutes in, providing PSG with an early advantage that they managed to hold onto despite mounting pressure from the home side.
PSG's coach, Luis Enrique, praised his team's resilience and fighting spirit following the match. "I think we were able to experience a semifinal filled with a lot of emotion and tension. The stadium was vibrating. The goal was similar to the one we scored at Anfield. That goal gave us confidence and tranquility. The team continues to show that it has hunger and desire and fights until the last moment," he said in a post-match press conference.
However, the night was not without its concerns for PSG as Dembélé had to be substituted in the 69th minute due to a slight discomfort. Enrique confirmed that Dembélé will undergo tests to assess the situation but remains hopeful for his return in the second leg. "He felt a slight discomfort. We won’t know the extent until tests are done. For the return leg, we will try to have him back. If he can't play, another player will step up, as we are a true team," Enrique stated.
Despite the injury scare, PSG's performance was bolstered by an outstanding display from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who made several crucial saves to keep Arsenal at bay. "Only missing the semifinals and the goalkeepers are there for that. We are one of the teams with the most possession. We play the round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals for that; that’s why we have Gigio, who is number one, and that’s why PSG signed him," Enrique added, highlighting Donnarumma's importance to the team's success.
The early goal from Dembélé not only set the tone for the match but also instilled confidence in the PSG players. "That goal gave us a lot of confidence and tranquility. It was one of our examples of how we try to play. The team, as I said yesterday, continues to show that it has hunger and desire, whether we play better or worse, but we fight until the last moment. There’s still the return match ahead. A goal can be scored in a moment of distraction," Enrique explained.
Looking ahead, PSG will need to maintain their focus as they prepare for the second leg at home on May 7, 2025. Enrique acknowledged the difficulty of the task ahead, stating, "We are one step away. There are journalists who ask positive questions, but I remind them of those who ask negative ones. We are a team that transmits work, ambition, and seriousness. We need to manage our emotions at home, with our fans, with the mentality, and enjoy that strength. It will be difficult, tight, and we must be prepared."
As the match unfolded, Arsenal did create several opportunities, even having a goal disallowed for offside, but PSG's defense held firm under pressure. Enrique commended his players for their collective effort, saying, "I can’t ask for more. We showed the mentality we display in every match; it’s a mentality that gives me pleasure to see as the coach of PSG. You can win or lose, but this mentality and ambition the team possesses is incredible."
With the aggregate score still in the balance, the second leg promises to be an exhilarating encounter. Enrique reminded everyone that in football, a single moment can change the tide. "You can win or lose, but we compete on every field and seek to bring the match to our terrain. Great defensive work today from the forwards, great offensive and defensive work from the midfielders. You can’t come to play at Arsenal, a rival of this level, and start questioning and valuing how many efforts you make. Maximum efforts, with and without the ball. We’ve shown a very good version with the ball and a much better version without it, with plenty of support. Against Saka and Martinelli, you need help," he pointed out.
As the dust settles on this first leg, PSG finds themselves in a favorable position but knows that the tie is far from over. With Arsenal poised to push for a comeback in the return leg, the stakes couldn't be higher. Enrique concluded, "The first objective has been achieved. The result could have been a draw. The goal now is to win the next match against Arsenal. We can’t speculate because a goal can be scored in a second, and the match is equal. We weren’t down when we lost 0-1 against Liverpool, and we went to Anfield to win the tie. It’s possible that Arsenal can score; they have nothing to lose. It will be a thrilling second leg for football fans."
