PSG star claims Kylian Mbappe exit has united Luis Enrique's team in UCL mission
Context:
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured their place in the UEFA Champions League final by defeating Arsenal 3-1 on aggregate, with a 1-0 victory in London and a 2-1 win in Paris. Key performances came from Gianluigi Donnarumma, whose exceptional goalkeeping was pivotal in keeping Arsenal at bay, earning praise from Arsenal's Mikel Arteta. The departure of Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid has reportedly fostered greater unity within the team, as noted by Donnarumma, who emphasized the team's improved spirit and teamwork. Despite Mbappe's success at Real Madrid, including 36 goals in 52 appearances, his former club outshone his new team by advancing further in the Champions League. PSG's achievements this season are a testament to their resilience and collective effort, marking only their second appearance in the UCL final in history.
Dive Deeper:
PSG advanced to the UEFA Champions League final after a 3-1 aggregate win over Arsenal, with Ousmane Dembele, Fabian Ruiz, and Achraf Hakimi contributing crucial goals across the two legs.
Gianluigi Donnarumma's outstanding performances were instrumental for PSG, earning him recognition as the best player on the pitch by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, especially for his eight saves and minimal goals conceded.
The transfer of Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid, although significant, has reportedly led to greater unity within PSG, with players focusing more on teamwork and collective goals.
Mbappe's individual success at Real Madrid, including 36 goals and strong UCL performances, contrasts with his team's earlier exit from the Champions League, highlighting PSG's superior campaign.
Donnarumma's critical saves, particularly in the second leg, helped prevent Arsenal from capitalizing on their scoring opportunities, showcasing his vital role in PSG's defensive strategy.
The departure of a high-profile player like Mbappe appears to have catalyzed a positive shift in the team's dynamics, as noted by Donnarumma's remarks about the changed spirit and team cohesion.
PSG's journey to the UCL final underscores their growth and resilience, achieving this milestone for only the second time in the club's history, illustrating their potential to succeed on Europe's biggest stage.
Paris Saint-Germain have punched their tickets for Munich as they progress to the UEFA Champions League final after beating Arsenal 3-1 on aggregate over the two legged semifinal.
The Parisians eked out a 1-0 win in North London in the first leg before securing a 2-1 victory in Paris to close out the crucial tie.
It was Ousmane Dembele, who scored the solitary goal in the first leg, but in the second leg, Fabian Ruiz stepped up with a first-half strike before Achraf Hakimi doubled the lead for Luis Enrique's men. Four minutes after Hakimi's goal, Bukayo Saka pulled a goal back for the Gunners but eventually it wasn't enough.
Despite being a very young team, PSG showed great resilience to hold out against Arsenal. One of the standout players for the Parisians across the two legs was goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The Italian goalkeeper was one of the integral parts of PSG's rise to the fourth major European competition final, as he made some exceptional saves.
After the famous win, Donnarumma made some controversial statements about the club's bonding. He admitted the departure of Kylian Mbappe has brought the team together which has reflected on the field.
He also compared the team to the Italian national team that won the Euro 2020, where he delivered a heroic performance in the penalty shootout to lift the cup against England in the final.
Speaking to Prime Video, the 26-year-old custodian said, "The spirit has changed, we are much more of a team. We play for each other."
“We miss Kylian, he is one of the best in the world and I wish him all the best because he is a great friend.
“The team is very united, we’re doing well together. We (Italy) won a European Championship like this, it makes all the difference in every team.”
Mbappe moved on from PSG to Real Madrid ahead of this season on a free transfer. The French superstar has pumped 36 goals in 52 appearances for Los Blancos with seven goals coming in 14 Champions League outings.
Yet, Real Madrid crashed out of the Champions League after losing to Arsenal in the quarterfinal, and their hopes of winning a trophy this season rely on the upcoming El Clásico against Barcelona in La Liga.
Donnarumma stood like a wall against Arsenal
Following Arsenal's defeat in the semifinal, manager Mikel Arteta said they were the better team over the two legs. He also praised PSG goalkeeper Donnarumma, who, according to the Spaniard, was the best player for the Parisians in both matches.Gianluigi Donnarumma’s master class 🧤🧤🧤🧤🧤pic.twitter.com/DFReqo7bd7
— Champions League Out Of Context (@uclooc) May 8, 2025 "When you look at who was the best player on the pitch in both matches, it was their goalkeeper. He made the difference in the double-header," Arteta told TNT Sports.
Donnarumma made eight saves and only allowed a solitary goal in 180 minutes against Arsenal. He did this against a team that scored five goals against Real Madrid. As per Opta, he made three saves in the second leg whilst preventing 1.23 goals as per their xG model.
To add to this, he made five saves in the first leg, which is the highest for a PSG goalkeeper in the Champions League knockout game without conceding a goal, since 2003/04 when Opta started collecting data.
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