About an hour before the start of the confrontation that will decide the champion team of Europe, Lupescu, guest of the gala, was seen on the edge of the field together with other “heavies” from the phenomenon who will take part in the football celebration proposed by the English and French.
Ionuț Lupescu, technical observer at the Champions League final
Among the UEFA officials present at “Puskas Arena” was Ionuț Lupescu, former technical director of the continental forum and, currently, technical consultant of UEFA. The former Romanian international is part from the group of experts who analyze from a tactical and technical perspective the major competitions organized by UEFA, contributing to the official reports that subsequently reach federations and coaches across the continent.
Before the final between PSG and Arsenal, Lupescu was caught in a cordial dialogue with Roy Hodgson, one of the most respected technicians in European football. The 78-year-old Englishman has coached teams such as Inter, Blackburn, Fulham, Liverpool and Crystal Palace throughout his career, as well as the Swiss and England national teams. Currently, Hodgson is a UEFA technical observer, a role in which he analyzes matches in continental competitions.
The full list of UEFA technical observers for the 2025-2026 season:
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Sir Gareth Southgate;
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer;
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Roberto Martínez;
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Rafa Benítez;
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Rui Faria;
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Steve Cooper;
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Frank de Boer;
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Roy Hodgson;
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Abraham Grant;
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Claude Makelele;
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That Karanka;
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Michael O'Neill;
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Gaizka Mendieta;
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Steve Holland;
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Ionut Lupescu;
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David James;
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Steffen Freund;
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David Adams;
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Wayne Allison;
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Aljoša Asanović;
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Patrick Bonner;
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Dušan Fitzel;
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Stefan Kuntz;
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Willi Ruttensteiner;
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Vasilis Tsiartas;
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Ange Postecoglou.
The starting teams at PSG – Arsenal
PSG (4-3-3): Safonov – Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes – Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz – Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia
Reserves: Chevalier, R. Marin, Barcola, Beraldo, D. Fernandez, L. Hernandez, Lee Kang-In, Mayulu, Mbaye, G. Ramos, Zabarnyi, Zaire-Emery
Coach: Luis Enrique
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya – Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie – Odegaard, Rice, Lewis-Skelly – Saka, Havertz, Trossard
reserves: Kepa, Calafiori, Dowman, Eze, Gabriel Jesus, Gyokeres, Madueke, Martinelli, Merino, Norgaard, Timber, Zubimendi
Coach: Mikel Arteta
