Adapting to a compressed schedule has become the team’s top priority, as manager Luis Enrique emphasized in Saturday’s press conference. With Ligue 1 already secured, the club traveled to Jean-Bouin Stadium on Sunday to test itself against local rivals, aiming to fine-tune preparations for the upcoming European showdown in Budapest.

The experiment backfired. The reigning European champions delivered a lackluster performance, falling short of expectations. “I see nothing positive in this match,” Enrique admitted. “When you play without ambition or intensity, the result is inevitable.”

A uniquely demanding run-in

This season’s conclusion presents unprecedented challenges. Last year, PSG played the Coupe de France final against Reims just seven days before their Champions League final in Munich—a 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan that capped a dominant campaign. The current schedule offers no such buffer.

“This is a more complicated end to the season than usual,” Enrique noted. “Last year’s Coupe de France final was a huge motivator. Now, we have just two weeks to get ready for the biggest game in our history.”

The roadmap is taking shape. “We’ll mix recovery with football-specific work,” he continued. “We’ll rest physically and mentally, then play a friendly match next weekend to reintroduce competitive intensity.”

Medical updates will be critical. Ousmane Dembélé was substituted at halftime against Paris FC and remains under observation. Meanwhile, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Achraf Hakimi, and Quentin Ndjantou—each sidelined at different points—have resumed individual training, signaling possible returns to full squad sessions.

Preparing for Arsenal in Budapest

Logistics will also play a role. Last season, the team flew to Munich the evening before the final, conducting a final training session at Allianz Arena. Budapest awaits a similar approach, though specific travel details remain under wraps.

For now, the focus remains squarely on recovery, rehabilitation, and regaining sharpness. With Arsenal as the final opponent, every minute of preparation counts.