Calafiori expected to start in PSG vs. Arsenal Champions League final – Probable line-ups

Italy international Riccardo Calafiori is expected to start in Saturday evening’s Champions League final between reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain and recently-crowned Premier League winners Arsenal in Budapest.

PSG will be hoping to defend their title, which they won in a 5-0 hammering of Inter last year, against the North London outfit of Arsenal, who are hoping to claim Europe’s most prestigious trophy for the very first time.

Despite PSG’s status as reigning champions, it was Arsenal who finished the league phase at the top of the table with a perfect record of eight victories from eight matches. From there, Mikel Arteta’s side went on to defeat Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16, Sporting CP in the quarter-finals and Atletico Madrid in the semis.

PSG, meanwhile, have beaten Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich across the knock-out rounds in order to qualify for tonight’s final.

Pre-match reports indicate that Italy’s Calafiori will start at left-back for Arsenal in Budapest for Saturday’s Champions League final. He is expected to be joined by Jurrien TImber, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes across the Gunners’ back four.

This is Calafiori’s first appearance in a Champions League final and he is the only Italian with any chance of being involved on the night.

The PSG squad featured several faces that will be familiar to Serie A supporters: From former Inter wing-back Achraf Hakimi to ex-Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and not forgetting Marquinhos and Fabian Ruiz.

PSG (4-3-3): Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, N.Mendes; J.Neves, Vitinha, F.Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Zubimendi; Saka, Odegaard, Trossard; Gyokeres.