João Neves takes a jab at Arsenal after PSG’s victory in the Champions League final
The Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal ended with the French club’s triumph, but it also served as a platform for incisive criticisms from João Neves. The Portuguese midfielder, a standout player for PSG, did not hold back on the English team’s playing style, offering a scathing analysis of the strategy employed by Arsenal during the epic clash at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest.
The match began with an early goal from Kai Havertz, just six minutes in, giving the London team the lead. However, Paris Saint-Germain showed resilience and equalized through Ousmane Dembélé, who converted a penalty awarded for a foul by Cristhian Mosquera on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the second half. With the score tied at one goal each at the end of regulation time, the decision went to penalties.
In the penalty shootout, PSG came out on top. Gabriel from Arsenal missed the decisive penalty, while Eberechi Eze and Nuno Mendes saw their shots saved, allowing the European champions to retain their title.
João Neves commented, without mincing words, on the English team’s approach: “Arsenal, after scoring early, fell back into a low block, allowing us to dominate the game and create opportunities. It seemed that their only strategy was to recover the ball and launch it to Havertz up front, but that was not enough against a prepared and experienced team like ours.”
This outburst from the PSG midfielder highlights the tactical-strategic difference between the two teams and suggests that Arsenal paid dearly for a plan that was too conservative against a French team eager for European glory. PSG’s victory not only confirms their supremacy in continental football but also sends a stern warning to other teams that might adopt an overly rigid defensive approach in high-pressure games.
With this win, PSG reaffirms its status as a European giant, while Arsenal will have much to reflect on, especially regarding their tactical approach in decisive moments. João Neves, with his statements, left no doubt: the ambition and courage to dominate the game were the keys to Parisian triumph in this historic final.
This article first appeared on [Apito Final](https://apitofinal.pt/).
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