Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published on Thursday, 07 May 2026, 07:14 / Updated on Thursday, 07 May 2026 07:30
Former international Ilie Dumitrescu (57 years old) analyzed the progress of the two finalists in this edition of the Champions League, Arsenal and PSG, and believes that the main favorite to win the trophy is the team coached by Luis Enrique (55 years old), who reached the last act of the competition for the second consecutive year, being the winner of the previous season, after 5-0 with Inter in the final.
After a 1-1 draw at the Metropolitano, Arsenal beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 at home to reach their first Champions League final in 20 years. “The Gunners” had only one appearance in the last act of the competition, in 2006, when they lost to Barcelona, score 1-2.
On the other hand, after beating Bayern Munich 5-4 at the Parc des Princes, PSG managed to grab a 1-1 draw at the Allianz Arena, a result that sent Luis Enrique's side into their second consecutive Champions League final.
Ilie Dumitrescu chose his favorite between Arsenal and PSG: “I gave the final for a long time”
“It will be an interesting duel. I gave the final a long time ago, between PSG and Arsenal. I said then that Arsenal would win, but now I think Paris will also win. It will be a super balanced final, the best offense against the best defense.
We must not neglect a very important element in a final: the mood. Arsenal have not been in the final for 20 years. It's not the same to motivate the team that won last year and one that never won. I think that may be the key.
Besides, what PSG showed today, that transition made extraordinary… They're going to play an England team that does that every week. But he did well against the English this year, he beat Liverpool, Chelsea”, said Ilie Dumitrescu, according to digisport.ro.
