PSG vs Reims

The final showdown in French football's domestic calendar will take place on Saturday night under the bright lights of the Stade de France, as Paris Saint-Germain lock horns with Reims in the grand finale of the 2024–25 Coupe de France. This highly anticipated encounter carries very different implications for both clubs—while PSG are chasing history and glory with the possibility of clinching a historic treble, Reims are clinging to dreams of silverware amidst the harsh reality of a relegation battle that still looms uncomfortably large.

The Parisians enter this contest on the cusp of an unprecedented achievement. Never before has a French club managed to secure a treble composed of the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, and the UEFA Champions League in a single season. Under the direction of Luis Enrique, PSG have navigated a demanding campaign with remarkable resilience and flair, recovering from minor hiccups along the way to remain in contention for this coveted trio of trophies. Their recent domestic form suggests a team regaining momentum at just the right moment—convincing victories over Montpellier and Auxerre in their final two Ligue 1 fixtures saw them find the net seven times and reassert their dominance following the disappointment of falling short of an invincible league season.

Enrique opted to field a strong starting eleven against Auxerre in their final Ligue 1 outing, a decision that reflected both the seriousness with which he views these upcoming finals and his desire to keep his squad sharp. With two title-deciding matches in the span of seven days, there is little room for error, and rotation has been minimal as the Spanish tactician aims to build continuity and confidence heading into a potentially historic week.

PSG’s pedigree in the Coupe de France is simply unrivaled in modern French football. The club has lifted the trophy 15 times, a record that underlines their long-standing supremacy in this competition. Between 2015 and 2021, the Parisian giants made it to every final, winning six out of seven. Their only blemish during that period came in the 2019 final loss to Rennes via penalties. However, the successive round-of-16 eliminations in 2022 and 2023 served as rare reminders of the tournament’s unpredictability and the dangers of complacency. Last season, Enrique successfully steered PSG back to the winner's podium by defeating Lyon in the final, and now he seeks to guide his team to back-to-back titles.

Despite their status as heavy favorites, PSG’s route to this year’s final has raised some eyebrows due to the relative lack of top-tier competition they’ve faced along the way. Since defeating fellow Ligue 1 side Lens in the round of 64, the Parisians have coasted past a string of significantly weaker opponents. Semi-professional side Espaly, third-division Le Mans, fourth-division Stade Briochin, and second-tier Dunkerque have all been swept aside with minimal resistance. While the victories were comprehensive, critics argue that PSG have not truly been tested in this year’s edition of the cup, and that could either mean they are well-rested—or potentially undercooked—for a more combative clash in the final.

As for their opponents, Reims arrive in Saint-Denis in starkly contrasting circumstances. The club, once a dominant force in French football during the golden age of the 1950s and 60s, is facing more immediate and sobering concerns. Despite possessing a rich history that includes six Ligue 1 championships and two Coupe de France victories, the modern Reims side is fighting for top-flight survival. Their league campaign unraveled dramatically in the final weeks, and instead of basking in the joy of a cup final, their focus has been split between chasing an unlikely title and staving off relegation.

Managed by Samba Diawara, Reims have not won any major silverware in over six decades. Their last Ligue 1 triumph dates back to the 1961–62 season, while their most recent Coupe de France title was lifted in 1958. This year’s final represents their first appearance at this stage since 1977, marking nearly half a century since they’ve had such a momentous opportunity. For the long-suffering supporters of the club, reaching the final alone is a cause for celebration—but the timing could hardly be worse.

Reims’ cup run has defied both logic and expectation. After years of early exits—including defeats to lower-league sides in three of the previous four seasons—few would have predicted that they would reach the final this time around. Their journey to Saint-Denis has not been easy, nor has it been particularly glamorous. The club required penalty shootouts to overcome Monaco, Bourgoin Jallieu, and Angers in successive rounds. Each of those ties was perilously close, with Reims living on a knife’s edge and surviving largely thanks to individual grit and a slice of good fortune. Their semi-final victory over fourth-tier Cannes was hardly convincing either, as a narrow 2-1 win—secured by a decisive strike from Teddy Teuma—booked their place in the final.

What makes Reims’ improbable march to the final even more surprising is the context in which it occurred. While their cup form brought hope, their league performances painted a much gloomier picture. A 15-match winless streak in Ligue 1 plunged the team into disarray and saw them slide dangerously toward the relegation zone. Even a brief resurgence, during which they won four of five games between late March and mid-April, proved insufficient to pull them to safety. Their inability to maintain momentum in the season’s final stretch saw them lose their last three matches, dragging them into the relegation playoff despite being five points clear of the drop zone as recently as matchday 31.

The first leg of that critical relegation playoff against Metz took place just days before the cup final, ending in a 1-1 draw. The result leaves everything to play for in the second leg, but it also complicates Reims’ preparations for their biggest match in generations. The overlap of two high-stakes competitions has forced the squad into an unenviable balancing act: striving for cup glory while simultaneously fighting for their Ligue 1 status. Fatigue—both physical and emotional—could become a decisive factor when they step onto the Stade de France pitch.

Nonetheless, the beauty of football, and particularly of cup competitions, lies in their capacity to surprise. While PSG’s dominance is well-documented and their squad is brimming with world-class talent—from the creativity of Fabian Ruiz to the defensive steel of Achraf Hakimi—the final remains a single match where anything can happen. One moment of brilliance, a stroke of fortune, or an unexpected hero can tip the balance, as countless underdogs in football history have proven.

Keito Nakamura, one of Reims’ standout performers this season, will be vital to their hopes. The Japanese forward has been a rare bright spot in an otherwise tumultuous campaign, and his ability to produce something out of nothing might be Reims’ best chance of breaching PSG’s star-studded defense. Diawara will likely set his side up compactly, aiming to frustrate their illustrious opponents and perhaps nick a goal on the break or from a set piece.

For PSG, this final is not just about another trophy—it is about legacy. A domestic double is already impressive, but adding the Champions League final shortly afterward transforms the next week into the most critical period in the club’s modern era. The pressure is immense, and though they are expected to win against Reims, any lapse in concentration could see them unravel. Luis Enrique, well aware of this, will be urging focus, professionalism, and execution from his squad.

In essence, the Coupe de France final is a meeting of two clubs at polar ends of the footballing spectrum. Paris Saint-Germain, the nation’s perennial champions, brimming with ambition and chasing immortality. Reims, steeped in nostalgia and seeking to reclaim a glimmer of former greatness while battling to stay afloat. This isn’t just a football match—it’s a study in contrasts, in dreams both mighty and modest.

No matter the outcome, Saturday night will etch a new chapter into the rich tapestry of French football. Whether PSG confirm their dominance and move one step closer to a legendary treble, or Reims deliver one of the greatest cup shocks of all time, the Coupe de France final promises drama, emotion, and a spectacle worthy of its grand stage.