The Paris Saint-Germain are racing against time to secure the fitness of two of their most pivotal players ahead of the highly anticipated Champions League final against Arsenal. With the Budapest showdown looming, Luis Enrique’s squad is grappling with serious concerns over the availability of Achraf Hakimi and Ousmane Dembélé.

As the countdown to the final ticks away, the French champions face a critical dilemma: can their two injured stars recover in time to make a difference in what promises to be a blockbuster clash in Hungary?

Hakimi’s thigh strain casts a shadow over PSG’s defensive plans

The Moroccan international has been plagued by a thigh injury since the first leg of the Champions League semifinal against Bayern Munich nearly a month ago. Reports suggest he won’t be fully fit to start the final, dealing a significant blow to Enrique’s tactical blueprint. Hakimi’s absence would strip PSG of a dynamic offensive threat from the right flank—a weapon Arsenal will be eager to exploit if given the chance.

With recovery timelines tight, Hakimi is expected to return to full training no sooner than Wednesday. That leaves him a mere three days to prove his fitness before the squad departs for Budapest, making every session crucial.

Dembélé’s setback adds to PSG’s pre-final jitters

The situation isn’t limited to the defensive third. Ousmane Dembélé’s absence from a recent internal friendly has raised eyebrows, particularly after he was substituted in the first half of a league defeat to Paris FC. The French winger has been battling a lingering injury, and his exclusion from the 40-minute intra-club match signals caution from the medical team.

Despite his assurances of being ready for the final, Dembélé’s continued absence fuels skepticism. His recovery progress will be under intense scrutiny as the deadline approaches.

Arsenal sense an opportunity in PSG’s uncertainty

Arteta’s side have already begun preparing for the possibility of facing a weakened PSG. The Gunners, fresh off their Premier League triumph, see any drop in PSG’s cohesion or intensity as a potential opening to claim their first-ever Champions League title. Tuesday’s high-intensity training session in Paris will be a decisive moment for Enrique’s men—one that could determine whether the Parisians can field their strongest XI in Budapest.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. For PSG, every minute of recovery, every cautious decision from the medical staff, and every step Hakimi and Dembélé take toward fitness will shape the narrative of their final push for European glory.