Paris Saint-Germain have booked their place in the Champions League final after a hard-fought draw against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, ensuring a clash with Arsenal in Budapest’s Puskas Arena.
Luis Enrique basked in the moment as PSG advanced, despite not producing a dominant performance. Bayern manager Vincent Kompany acknowledged the quality of the opposition, saying, “The level of both teams was very high. PSG have so much quality – they’ve probably been the best team in Europe over the last two years.”
For Bayern, the exit left a bitter taste. The German giants felt aggrieved by a controversial penalty awarded to PSG in the first leg, which many believe should not have been given. On Wednesday, their frustration grew over two handball decisions – one of which was later confirmed correct, while the other remained debatable after review. Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen questioned the appointment of Portuguese referee João Pinheiro, who had only 15 Champions League matches under his belt, calling it “astonishing.”
As Arsenal and PSG prepare for the final on June 1, ticket distribution has become a major point of contention. The Puskas Arena holds 67,215, but only 16,824 general admission tickets will be allocated to each club. The remaining seats are reserved for UEFA officials and sponsors. While 10,000 tickets per club are priced at a reasonable €70, the next tier costs double that, with the most expensive Category A tickets nearing €1,000. With airlines and Budapest hotels inflating prices for the occasion, Arsenal supporters are likely to pay a premium for the chance to see Mikel Arteta’s side compete for European glory.
