Paris Saint-Germain, long-standing contenders for the Champions League title, are preparing for another shot at European glory, but standing in their path is a determined Inter Milan side that has proven its resilience through a series of intense battles.
The two sides face off in Saturday’s final in Munich, marking a compelling end to the European club season.
This final brings together two vastly different footballing philosophies and histories: the tradition-rich Italian giants against a modern, state-backed footballing project from France.
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It is not just a clash of clubs, but of eras and ideologies.
Since being acquired by Qatari owners in 2011, PSG have poured significant resources into chasing Europe’s most prestigious club trophy. Yet despite their financial muscle, they have only reached the final once before — a loss to Bayern Munich in an empty stadium during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Their hopes of success dimmed further in subsequent years, particularly after bringing in Lionel Messi, whose addition alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe failed to deliver the continental crown.
Ironically, it is only now — in the wake of Messi and Mbappe’s departures — that PSG find themselves back in a final, rejuvenated and with a new identity.
Mbappe had envisioned winning the Champions League with Real Madrid, but it is Luis Enrique’s dynamic and youthful Paris squad, with an average age under 24, that has captured the imagination of European football this season.
Their journey to the final has not been straightforward. A loss to Bayern Munich in the group stage left their progression in doubt.
But a thrilling victory over reigning champions Manchester City in January turned the tide. From there, they dispatched Premier League clubs Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal with flair and confidence.
Ousmane Dembele has emerged as a key figure, netting 33 goals across competitions. He’s been supported by an energetic frontline featuring Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, and January recruit Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
At the back, Achraf Hakimi — once of Inter — and Italy’s number one, Gianluigi Donnarumma, have delivered consistently strong performances, helping PSG secure the domestic double.
“We know what kind of football we want to play and now we just need to go out and do it to our full potential,” said their Spanish coach, who is chasing a second Champions League title after his triumph with Barcelona in 2015.
“It is always very difficult to get to the final of the Champions League. All players and coaches dream of playing in it but most don’t get the chance.
“We want to be the first ones in Paris to win the Champions League and make history.”
A victory would mark a historic milestone for PSG, making them only the second French team ever to win the trophy.
Coincidentally, Marseille achieved that feat in 1993 — also in Munich, albeit at the old Olympic Stadium — by defeating Inter’s fierce rivals, AC Milan.
Inter Milan, by contrast, are aiming to lift their fourth European title. The club previously triumphed twice in the 1960s under Helenio Herrera and again in 2010, when Jose Mourinho guided them to a famous win over Bayern Munich in Madrid.
Simone Inzaghi, who led Inter to the final in 2023 — where they narrowly lost to Manchester City — remains at the helm. Many of the players who started that game in Istanbul could feature again on Saturday, continuing a period of remarkable stability for the Italian side.Inter’s road to Munich has also been filled with drama. They overcame Bayern Munich in the last eight, then edged out Barcelona in a memorable semi-final, punctuated by a rain-soaked thriller at San Siro that will live long in the memory.
“To really make history we have to win on Saturday,” said Inzaghi, who could field a starting XI featuring three players aged 36 or older, underscoring the team’s experience.Inter are expected to stick with their tried-and-tested 3-5-2 formation, a notable contrast to PSG’s 4-3-3 system. Saturday’s clash will be a battle not only of talent, but of tactical philosophies and mental resolve.
The Italians will also be eager to bounce back from narrowly missing out on the Serie A title to Napoli in the final round of the season.
“We know that it will be difficult, we know that we’re facing a super team just like Barcelona and Bayern Munich but they will come up against a team which has the same goal as PSG. All we can do is try put in a great performance in the final,” he added.
