Okocha, Okpara Backs PSG To Beat Arsenal In Champions League Final

Former Nigeria captain Jay-Jay Okocha has thrown his support behind Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) ahead of Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal, insisting the French champions have the quality and teamwork needed to retain the title.

Okocha, who previously played for PSG, was full of praise for the Paris club after their crushing 5-0 win over Inter Milan in last season’s Champions League final at the Allianz Arena.

He said, “It’s amazing, and the way they did it, they made it look so easy. They came with a good game plan, it worked out for them, and they totally deserved it.

“I didn’t think it would be 5-nil, I predicted 2-1, but who cares? I wanted to see them win, and they won.

“It’s great for the club, the first time in their history, and I think it’s good for football as well.

“The skills were the difference, they used their individual talent for the team. They held the ball very well, and they made Inter suffer a bit.

“I think it’s down to their ability to do something with the ball.”

Another former PSG defender, Godwin Okpara, has also backed Luis Enrique’s men to overcome Arsenal in the final at the Puskás Aréna.

Okpara believes PSG’s current side is stronger collectively than the team built around star names such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

“There is a lot of quality in this PSG squad, and they do not depend solely on Ousmane Dembélé,” Okpara told Footy-Africa.

“It is an elite team because they no longer play through just one player.”

“Look at their tactical formation. Even Achraf Hakimi operates with the impact of an attacker, but he is fundamentally a defender.

“Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have a good understanding and they play as a collective unit, and they win as a team. That is the only way to secure the biggest trophies.”

The former Super Eagles defender still expects Arsenal to provide a stern test for the reigning European champions.

“It is going to be an incredibly tough match because both teams are exceptionally strong in their respective areas,” Okpara added.

“I am expecting to see plenty of goals in this final.

“But when you look closely at the squads, ranking them position by position from the goalkeeper, through the defence, into midfield, and up to the attack, PSG simply possess more quality players.

“For that reason, I see them winning it.”