Lee Kang-in on PSG Bench for 2025 Champions League Final
Lee Kang-in will wait on the Paris Saint-Germain bench for the UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal at Puskás Arena in Budapest. The South Korean midfielder is not in PSG’s starting XI for the 2025-2026 final, but he remains in the squad for the club’s bid to retain Europe’s top title. Arsenal are chasing their first Champions League trophy.
PSG Start Safonov And Doué
PSG will open with Matvey Safonov in goal and a front three of Desire Doué, Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Behind them, João Neves, Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz make up the midfield, while Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Marquinhos and Achraf Hakimi form the back four.
That lineup puts Lee on the bench rather than in the first-choice attacking group. It also leaves coach Enrique with a bench option who can change the shape of the final if PSG need a different look after kickoff.
Arsenal Name Havertz Up Front
Arsenal will start Kai Havertz as the lone striker, with Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard and Leandro Trossard in the next line. Miles Lewis-Skelly and Declan Rice are set as the midfield pair, and Piero Incaupi, Gabriel Magalhães, William Saliba and Cristian Mosquera will line up in defense in front of David Raya.
The final brings together two teams with very different targets. PSG are trying to win consecutive Champions League titles after beating Monaco, Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich on the way to the final, while Arsenal are trying to end a long wait for their first European crown.
Puskás Arena Stakes
PSG enter with 44 goals in this Champions League season and a scoring streak that has reached 27 consecutive matches. If Enrique lifts the trophy, he would join Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola, Bob Paisley and Zinedine Zidane as the fifth manager to win the Big Ear trophy three or more times.
Arsenal also carry the memory of their 2006 final loss to Barcelona in Paris, France, 20 years ago. For Lee, the immediate reality is simpler: he is on the bench for one of the biggest nights in club football, with the chance to step into the final if PSG need him.
