Chijioke Gabriel
As anticipation builds for tonight’s UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder João Neves has predicted a thrilling encounter against Arsenal, describing the Gunners as a physical team while backing PSG’s superior ball-playing abilities.
Arsenal will host PSG at the Emirates Stadium, marking their second meeting this season. In their earlier group stage clash, first-half goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka sealed a 2–0 win for the Premier League side.PSG’s road to the semi-finals has seen them knock out Liverpool in the round of 16 and Aston Villa in the quarter-finals.
Neves, a standout performer for the Ligue 1 champions, has played a key role in their campaign, starting all but one of their Champions League matches – the only exception being their opening 1–0 win over Girona. Since joining PSG, the 20-year-old has contributed five goals and nine assists in 46 appearances across all competitions.
Tonight’s clash, however, presents Neves with arguably the biggest test of his European campaign so far.
In an interview with The Athletic, Neves said:“I think the most positive thing Arsenal have is the collective, like us. It will be a very good football game. I think they are maybe more physical, and we are perhaps better with the ball – in my opinion. But they have their strengths, we have our strengths.”
He added: “What we want to do is to defend with the ball in their half of the pitch, because having the ball is the best way to defend.”
Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Nigerian time. The other semi-final between Barcelona and Inter Milan will take place tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Camp Nou, also at 8:00 p.m.
