Luis Enrique is probably entering a period defined as very important from PSG’s perspective, as the Parisians are chasing an unprecedented treble to finish their season, starting with the game against Reims in the Coupe de France final. While the Ligue 1 title is done and the season is finished on that front, there are two more major titles out there to bag.
PSG are already into next week’s UEFA Champions League final played against Inter Milan, but for now, Enrique will focus entirely on the Coupe de France Final. The hosts will take on Reims in this grand showdown, and the manager will want a complete performance from his players to ensure the team keeps dreaming about the treble.
A loss in this final could have a detrimental effect on their mood ahead of the Champions League Final. However, that may not be something high on Enrique’s mind as the full focus will be on winning this one, as PSG are the favourites entering this game.
Having been dumped out of this competition by lower league opposition in three of the last four editions, Reims will be grateful to find themselves in this final. The team in general have had a dismal season, considering how good they were just a couple of seasons ago.
Like PSG, they too have two important fixtures left in the season. First up is the Coupe de France final against PSG, and then the second leg of their relegation play-offs with Metz, with the game poised at 1-1 following the first leg. A win in this final will also allow Reims an entry into the Europa League next season, which will be seen as a welcome boost for the beleaguered Ligue 1 side.
Luis Enrique did not back against Auxerre in the final game of the Ligue 1 season, and he named a strong lineup in a dead rubber of a game. The idea there was to keep the sharpness in the players that he feels will start in the two upcoming finals in the quest for a treble.
Hence, one might consider the PSG manager to name a similar lineup against Reims in the Coupe de France Final. The only position that is up for debate is the right wing, as one of Bradley Barcola or the in-demand Desire Doue will start there, while Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are certain to start in the other positions of the front two.
There are no injury issues in the team as things stand with doubts only about Presnel Kimpembe making the matchday squad. Hence, the likes of Marquinhos and Willian Pacho are expected to pair up at the heart of the defence, while Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves will be stationed in central midfield for PSG.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
There are some key problems for Reims to contend with ahead of this big final against PSG. Reda Khadra, Mohamed Daramy, and Yaya Fofana are all missing from action, while semi-final match-winner Teddy Teuma has not featured since that game.
Meanwhile, there are further concerns with the fitness of Aurelio Buta and Junya Ito, with the duo absent from the first leg against Metz in the relegation playoffs. Whether they were rested for this upcoming Coupe de France remains to be seen, as that might be the case as there are no reports of injury issues with the duo.
Reims will certainly pin their hopes on top goalscorer and Japanese star Keito Nakamura against PSG, with the attacker already in with 12 goals across all competitions, as he came back from a suspension to play in midweek against Metz.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Diouf; Sekine, Okumu, Kipre, Akieme; Patrick, Gbane, Atangana; Ito, Siebatcheu, Nakamura
With PSG chasing an unprecedented treble, Dembele could be one of the names at the top of the contention for the Ballon d’Or later this year. It would take a monumental effort for the winger to win the accolade, but he could be one of the top names if the Parisians manage to win the treble.
Hence, Dembele must produce a tremendous performance in this Coupe de France final between PSG and Reims, as well as in the UEFA Champions League final later in the month. Luis Enrique will want the striker to try and finish the game early for proper rest and prepare for the next big final on the horizon.
Reims are not in the best of forms, and they are under pressure to deliver in two important games including the second leg of their relegation playoffs. However, they will look at this Coupe de France and see the possibility of playing in the UEFA Europa League next season, although their quality against this PSG side could be the source of concern.
PSG are in the right form ahead of a crucial period in their season, and Luis Enrique would want that unprecedented treble. Having seen some big results in the bag, PSG are expected to take a big win in the Coupe de France final against Reims and march towards bagging the UEFA Champions League title next week.
