PSG Makes French Cup Final a “Dress Rehearsal”

Paris Saint Germain has the opportunity to add a trophy in the domestic competition when facing Reims in the final match of the French Cup, Sunday (25/5/2025) at 02:00 WIB at the Stade de France, Paris. This match will also serve as a "dress rehearsal" for PSG before facing the Champions League final against Inter Milan, on Sunday (1/6/2025) at 02:00 WIB.

Reims, which occupies the 16th position in the French Ligue 1 standings, certainly cannot be compared to Inter Milan. The quality of the two teams is vastly different. However, Reims has a strong defense and counter-attacking ability that PSG coach Luis Enrique could use to simulate several strategies.

In the last five matches between PSG and Reims, four matches ended in a draw and one match resulted in a victory for PSG. Two matches this season ended with an identical score of 1-1. Interestingly, in both matches, Ousmane Dembele consistently scored one goal for PSG, while Keito Nakamura always found the net against PSG for Reims.

Facing the top of the Ligue 1 standings, Reims consistently displayed tight defense and effective attacks. Their ball possession was only around 22 percent, but Reims did not require many accurate shots on goal to score. From two matches, Reims only created four accurate shots to net two goals.

Facing a team with a very strong defense and effective attacks, Enrique can test several tactics that may be applied to pressure Inter's defense while simultaneously building a strong defense. Inter has proven to have a very strong defense and highly effective attacks since the qualifying rounds.

Enrique admitted that he is very enthusiastic about facing two final matches within a week. Although the Champions League final is the main target, as PSG has never won it, Enrique does not want to let go of the French Cup trophy. PSG continues to dream of achieving three championship titles in a single season, after first securing the title of Ligue 1 France.

"We will face the French Cup final against Reims before the UEFA Champions League final. I believe we must manage the pressure around us and try to enjoy it. We feel the enthusiasm and we are trying to manage it. We are a team capable of handling the ups and downs and the pressure," said Enrique, to the official PSG website.

"I am focused on two matches with the French Cup final against Reims first. We have reached this point thanks to the style of football we have played. The Champions League final is a different game. It is rare for a player or coach to play like that," Enrique continued.

To defeat Reims, PSG will return to a 4-3-3 formation, relying on Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Desire Doue in the front line. The defensive side will also be strengthened with a focus on preventing quick counterattacks from Reims.

PSG will continue to dominate ball possession, but defensive errors will be anticipated to prevent Reims from stealing goals through quick counterattacks. Negative transitions, from attacking to defending, have become a significant part of training for PSG players. Surveillance over Nakamura will be intensified as the Japanese player possesses deadly speed and shooting accuracy.

Vitinha, Marquinhos, and Willian Pacho will form a layered defense to stop the flow of the ball from Reims during negative transitions. Quick and organized negative transitions need to be tested in a competitive match situation against Reims, before being evaluated and reapplied to face Inter Milan.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma remains a mainstay for PSG between the posts. Donnarumma, who was the hero in the Champions League semifinal match against Arsenal, will be featured again to thwart the shots from the Reims players.

Enrique is also heavily relying on Donnarumma to face Inter Milan next week. Donnarumma's experience and composure are essential to manage the immense pressure that PSG players will experience.

"Donnarumma is an experienced player. He knows how to control the pressure properly," said Enrique.

On the Reims side, the match against PSG will be the biggest opportunity to win a trophy. Reims has not won a prestigious trophy since becoming the champion of Ligue 1 France in the 1961-1962 season and winning the French Cup in 1958.

However, Reims will not be reinforced by Reda Khadra, Mohamed Daramy, and Yaya Fofana due to injuries sustained during the semifinal match of the French Cup.

On the other hand, Reims still have to go through the second play-off match to avoid relegation, against Metz, Friday (30/5/2025). The first match ended in a 1-1 draw and Reims must win the second match if they do not want to go down to League 2.

The absence of several players and the short interval between matches will force Reims to set priorities. If they exert all their efforts to face PSG, Reims may find themselves in a weakened condition when facing Metz. Conversely, if they conserve some energy for the match against Metz to avoid relegation, their best chance of securing a trophy will vanish.