✍️ Barcola vs. Doué: Who Is The Right Choice For PSG Against Inter Milan?

As Paris Saint-Germain prepares for Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final, Luis Enrique has a difficult decision to make regarding his starting lineup.

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It all comes down to this.

On Saturday, May 31, Paris Saint-Germain will face off against Inter Milan in the 2025 UEFA Champions League Final. They will do so in the stadium of Bayern Munich, who defeated them in their first trip to the final a mere five years ago. Back then, PSG boasted a squad composed of sundry foreign stars like Leandro Paredes, Ángel Di María, Neymar Jr., and Ander Herrera, with only two Frenchmen—Kylian Mbappé and Presnel Kimpembe—starting in the final in Lisbon.

Bayern prevailed 1-0 thanks to a goal from Kingsley Coman, who spent a decade in PSG’s academy before departing on a free in 2014. It seemed to be a message from the footballing gods, and PSG listened by gradually renouncing their approach of signing big-name, veteran players and turning their focus towards buying young stars who are well away from hitting their apex. It has worked like a charm, with Les Parisiens winning a domestic treble in each of their first two seasons under Luis Enrique, who is seeking his second Champions League trophy as a coach. However, before Enrique takes to the pitch at the Allianz Arena, he’s going to have to sort out one head-scratching dilemma.

Paris Saint-Germain’s starting line-up just about picks itself: Gianluigi Donnarumma will play between the sticks, Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, and Nuno Mendes will slot into the backline, João Neves, Fabián Ruiz, and Vitinha will oversee midfield duties, whilst Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are expected to start up top. The only question mark? Whether to go with Bradley Barcola or Désire Doué on the right side of PSG’s attacking trident.