According to reports from The Sun and other media outlets, Paris Saint-Germain have implemented a “rugby-style” training regimen to prepare for Arsenal’s set-piece threat in the Champions League final.
The Ligue 1 side has been using rugby tackle pads to help their goalkeepers adapt to the physical intensity of Arsenal’s corner kick attacks. As the decisive match in Budapest later this month approaches, PSG’s goalkeepers have been engaging in physical collisions with each other to practice catching crosses and blocking shots under pressure.
Arsenal have been formidable from set-pieces this season, netting 21 goals from such situations in the Premier League. Mikel Arteta’s side has faced criticism for excessive grappling during set-piece plays, most notably when VAR disallowed West Ham United’s stoppage-time equalizer last Sunday—with multiple Arsenal players also pulling opponents in the area.
Such physical tactics have become increasingly common in the Premier League this season, with most teams adopting similar strategies when defending set-pieces.
The 56-year-old Luis Enrique has previously borrowed techniques from rugby, such as watching the first half from the stands to gain a better tactical perspective. His side also places great emphasis on zone control, often kicking the ball out of play on the opposition’s side during kick-offs to gain positional advantage and suppress opponents.
During the Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich, Enrique even instructed goalkeeper Matvey Safonov to deliberately blast goal kicks out of play. This unconventional tactic effectively neutralized Bayern’s attack and prevented the dangerous Michael Olise from exploiting the spaces created by regular goal kicks.