Reigning UEFA Champions League Champions Paris Saint-Germain have been tipped to retain the title ahead of the final against Arsenal tomorrow by ex-Super Eagles defender Godwin Okpara, Soccernet.ng reports
Luis Enrique's side put five past Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena in Munich, and have done well to work up the same path again this year.
This time, they'll be playing against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, a rematch of last year's semi-final, where the French side came out on top.
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Godwin Okpara tips Paris Saint-Germain for UCL victory over Arsenal
Okpara, in his playing days, spent two seasons at Parc des Princes, playing for PSG, although he was a fringe player, racking up just 21 appearances before moving on to Belgian side Standard Liege.
The one-time French League Cup winner believes his former side have what it takes to edge Arsenal in the final tomorrow evening.
“There is a lot of quality in this PSG squad, and they do not depend solely on Ousmane Dembélé,” Okpara told Footy-Africa.
“It is an elite team because they no longer play through just one player.”
“Look at their tactical formation. Even Achraf Hakimi operates with the impact of an attacker, but he is fundamentally a defender.
“Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have good understanding and they play as a collective unit, and they win as a team. That is the only way to secure the biggest trophies.
“In the past, during the era of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, the entire burden of the club was placed strictly on their shoulders.
“That is exactly why they did not get the results they wanted on the European stage. The PSG team we are seeing now is entirely different. It is built on pure teamwork, not individual egos,” the 53-year-old continued.
Fortuitous as Arsenal's run to the final might have been, Okpara also believes the Gunners are no pushover, stating clearly that the game will be an enjoyable one for neutrals.
“It is going to be an incredibly tough match because both teams are exceptionally strong in their respective areas,” Okpara added.
“I am expecting to see plenty of goals in this final.”
”But when you look closely at the squads—ranking them position by position from the goalkeeper, through the defense, into midfield, and up to the attack—PSG simply possess more quality players.
“For that reason, I see them winning it,” the 28-cap Super Eagle concluded.
Jay-Jay Okocha's support was clearly stated
Okocha was on the sidelines at the Allianz Arena in Munich last year and was pleased with the football on display from his former side.
“It's amazing, and the way they did it, they made it look so easy. They came with a good game plan, it worked out for them, and they totally deserved it.
“I didn't think it would be 5-nil, I predicted 2-1, but who cares? I wanted to see them win, and they won.
“It's great for the club, the first time in their history, and I think it's good for football as well,” the former Frankfurt midfielder said.
“The skills were the difference, they used their individual talent for the team. They held the ball very well, and they made Inter suffer a bit.
“I think it's down to their ability to do something with the ball.”
Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain come into the final as Champions of their domestic leagues.
