Saturday, May 25, 2025 | Stade de France | 21:00
A season of contrasting fortunes for Paris Saint-Germain and Reims culminates on Saturday night as the two sides go head-to-head in the final of the 2024–25 Coupe de France at the Stade de France. For PSG, it’s a chance to claim the second leg of a historic treble. For Reims, it’s a rare opportunity at silverware in the midst of a turbulent fight for Ligue 1 survival.
PSG Chase the Treble
Paris Saint-Germain arrive in Saint-Denis with history in their sights. Already crowned Ligue 1 champions and set to face Inter Milan in the Champions League final next week, they are now one win away from becoming the first French club to complete a treble of the league title, domestic cup, and Champions League.
Luis Enrique’s men have hit their stride at just the right time. After narrowly missing out on an unbeaten league campaign, PSG responded emphatically, sweeping aside Montpellier and Auxerre with a combined score of 7-1 in their final two Ligue 1 matches. Enrique named a full-strength side against Auxerre, a clear indication that rhythm and sharpness are paramount with two finals to contest in the space of a week.
This dominant run in the Coupe de France has seen PSG avoid top-flight opposition since their round-of-64 victory over Lens. They’ve since dispatched semi-pro Espaly, third-tier Le Mans, fourth-tier Stade Briochin, and Ligue 2’s Dunkerque. While the opposition hasn’t posed much of a threat, the consistency and professionalism PSG have shown throughout the competition have been telling.
This will be the club’s 20th appearance in the Coupe de France final, and with 15 wins already, PSG’s domestic dominance in this competition is unrivalled. They’ve lifted the trophy six times in the last decade and are looking to make it two in a row under Luis Enrique, having beaten Lyon in last year’s final.
Reims Fighting on Two Fronts
While PSG chase immortality, Reims are staring down the barrel of a disastrous campaign. What should have been a moment of joy—a first Coupe de France final since 1977—has been overshadowed by a late-season collapse that has seen them dragged into the Ligue 1 relegation playoff.
Manager Samba Diawara has endured a challenging season at the helm. While cup fortune has smiled on Reims, their league form has been dire. A 15-game winless run earlier this year sent them spiralling down the table. Although a brief resurgence brought hope with four wins in five during March and April, three consecutive losses to close out the season saw them finish 16th.
To make matters worse, their first-leg playoff with Metz ended in a 1-1 draw on Wednesday night—less than 72 hours before they face one of the strongest sides in Europe in a national final. That raises serious questions about how much energy and focus they’ll be able to commit to Saturday’s game, with the more vital second leg looming next week.
Their road to the final has been dramatic. Reims required penalty shootouts to eliminate Monaco, Bourgoin Jallieu, and Angers before narrowly edging fourth-tier Cannes in the semi-final. It’s been a magical cup run, but few would argue they’ve had the same level of difficulty as PSG.
Injuries haven’t helped either. Key players Reda Khadra, Mohamed Daramy, and Yaya Fofana are all sidelined, while semi-final hero Teddy Teuma has been absent since that win over Cannes. The fitness of Junya Ito, the league leader in chance creation, remains uncertain. The Japanese playmaker’s return would be a massive boost. Reims will likely turn to Keito Nakamura, their top scorer with 12 goals, to provide a spark.
Team News and Lineups
Paris Saint-Germain are expected to field a full-strength side similar to the one Enrique will deploy in the Champions League final. The only real decision lies in attack, where Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue are vying for a spot alongside Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Goncalo Ramos, PSG’s top scorer in the cup with five goals, is likely to feature from the bench.
Reims, meanwhile, must patch together their strongest possible XI. Nakamura is likely to lead the line with support from Jordan Siebatcheu and possibly Ito if fit.
PSG probable XI: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Reims probable XI: Diouf; Sekine, Okumu, Kipre, Akieme; Patrick, Gbane, Atangana; Ito, Siebatcheu, Nakamura
Prediction: PSG 5-0 Reims
The timing couldn’t be worse for Reims. With their Ligue 1 survival hanging in the balance, it’s hard to see how they can mentally or physically prioritise a clash with Europe’s most in-form side. PSG, on the other hand, are firing on all cylinders and have the depth to overwhelm a depleted and distracted Reims.
Barring a miracle, this should be a straightforward victory for the Parisians—one that sets the stage perfectly for their date with destiny in the Champions League final.