The time for big decisions, from Arteta and Enrique, speed or tactics

Manos Staramopoulos • 30 de mayo de 2026

UEFA Champions League great final in Budapest, with two spanish coaches ready to win using their best tactics.

With the aim of retaining the title of European champion, Paris Saint-Germain goes to the Champions League final on Saturday (30/5, 19:00). Where they will find the English champion, Arsenal, facing them. The team that, with the Spanish coach Luis Enrique, managed to put an end to a difficult situation that lasted for 22 whole years.


The current English champions for the first time after 22 years and on the other hand the potential European champions (and France) promise an exciting game, which, however, has changed the time compared to the usual, since the kick-off will take place at 17:00. However, UEFA has its reasons.

 

Paris, Luis Enrique's team, will face English champions Arsenal at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, who in turn are naturally aiming to lift the "cup with the big ears" for the first time in their history. In this context, the Spanish coach announced his team's squad for the big game, with Ousmane Dembele (who was doubtful in the previous days) being made available to him as normal. All the Parisians' "stars" are included, as well as two 18-year-olds, Dro Fernandez (acquired in January from Barcelona) and Ibrahim Mbaye.


Arsenal is betting heavily on the class of the international Norwegian midfielder, Martin Odegaard, as well as the strength and passion of the international English midfielder, Declan Rice. Of course, they also expect a lot from the wonderful right winger, Bukayo Saka, as well as the international Swedish forward Viktor Gyokeres, whom they acquired last summer from Sporting for the sum of 70 million euros.



High bonus

 

If the Parisians manage to stay at the top, they will receive an amount of around one million euros for each player, similar to what they received last year after their triumph over Inter in Munich. The difference, however, compared to other clubs, is the philosophy behind paying extra money.


You see, in Paris, bonuses are only provided in the event of winning trophies. With the amounts given in the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the top club competition being essentially symbolic.



The real bonuses come with the titles, that's our culture," they say within the club, with the captains, Marquinhos, Hakimi, Dembele and Vitinha negotiating the amounts with the management at the start of each season.



At the same time, the bonuses concern all footballers, regardless of the time of participation, as in Paris they consider that if someone participates even a little, it is part of the effort. That is why 18-year-old Dzadou, who played three times in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League and was subsequently ruled out due to injury, will receive regular bonuses if his teammates beat Arsenal!

 

Teams that have won the Champions League in consecutive seasons

 

Real Madrid: 1955-56, 1956-57, 1957-58, 1958-59, 1959-60

Benfica: 1960-61, 1961-62

Inter: 1963-64, 1964-65

Ajax: 1970-71, 1971-72, 1972-73

Bayern Munich: 1973-74, 1974-75, 1975-76

Liverpool: 1976-77, 1977-78

Nottingham Forest: 1978-79, 1979-80

Milan: 1988-89, 1989-90

Real Madrid: 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18

 

 

The time change


Meanwhile, since last August, the European Football Association has been informing about this change, which occurred for four main reasons. Initially, the target is the Asian market. This particular market is important, so the time change will be more "accessible" on this continent as well.


The second reason is the continuation of the celebrations. The people who will be at the stadium will have the opportunity to... continue the celebrations and discussions elsewhere, since the time will not have passed. Thus, the city will also be helped financially.



Then, the change is also related to younger children. The kick-off at 20:00 has often been a deterrent for young children. At 17:00 it is certain that more children will watch the final, so the television viewing will also increase



Manos Staramopoulos

Journalist and Analyst of International Football and Affairs

Chief Editor English Zone of Discoveryfootball.com

In Budapest (Hungary)

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