PSG Trounces Reims 3-0, Ready for Inter Milan Clash

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) warmed up for their highly anticipated Champions League final showdown with Inter Milan by winning the French Cup on Saturday, defeating Reims 3-0 at the Stade de France.

The victory marked a comfortable and confident performance by the Parisian club, with Bradley Barcola scoring twice in the space of four minutes to set the tone for the match.

The 22-year-old French forward’s goals in the 16th and 19th minutes effectively extinguished any hopes Reims had of causing an upset, and Achraf Hakimi added a third goal before halftime to seal the win.

The convincing victory was exactly the kind of preparation coach Luis Enrique would have been hoping for ahead of the season-defining game against Inter in Munich next weekend, where PSG will be seeking to win the Champions League for the first time.

However, the evening was not without its minor concerns, as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian winger, was forced to withdraw from the team due to a headache.

Kvaratskhelia returned home early, and his replacement, Desire Doue, played a crucial role in the match, providing the assist for Barcola’s first goal.

The win marked a clean sweep of domestic honors for PSG, as they added the French Cup to their Ligue 1 title and the Champions Trophy, France’s equivalent of a Super Cup.

This achievement is a testament to the team’s dominance in French football, and they have now won the French Cup a record 16 times, including eight times in the last decade.

Reims, on the other hand, were appearing in their first French Cup final since 1977 and were seeking to win the trophy for the third time. However, their chances of winning were likely affected by their recent struggles in the league, which saw them slump into the relegation play-off place on the final night of the Ligue 1 campaign.

They must now prepare for a decisive return match against second-tier Metz next Thursday, with their top-flight status hanging in the balance.

The match itself was a one-sided affair, with PSG dominating possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities.

Barcola’s double took his tally to 21 goals for the season in all competitions, a feat only bettered by Ousmane Dembele, who has scored 33 goals.

Hakimi’s goal, which made it 3-0, was a testament to the team’s attacking prowess, and they could have scored more if not for some excellent goalkeeping by Reims’ Yehvann Diouf.

As PSG looks ahead to their Champions League final showdown with Inter Milan, they will be buoyed by their convincing win in the French Cup. With their domestic honors secure, they can now focus on achieving their ultimate goal: winning the Champions League. Coach Luis Enrique will be hoping that his team can maintain their current form and bring home the coveted trophy.