PSG vs Inter | UEFA Champions League | Final | Preview
PSG vs Inter
On Saturday, the 2024-25 European club season culminates in the grand spectacle of the UEFA Champions League final, a match that serves as the traditional capstone to a grueling campaign of domestic and continental battles. This year, the final is staged in Munich, a city steeped in football history, and it presents a clash that has captured the imagination of fans worldwide: Paris Saint-Germain, revitalized under the astute management of Luis Enrique and powered by a youthful, dynamic squad, face off against the seasoned veterans of Inter Milan, guided by the tactical acumen of Simone Inzaghi and bolstered by a distinctive formation and a roster brimming with experienced stars. The matchup is a fascinating blend of contrasts—youth versus experience, exuberance versus pragmatism, and flair versus discipline—promising a contest that could redefine expectations and reshape narratives about what it takes to conquer Europe’s premier club competition. Both teams have earned their place in this showpiece event by toppling some of the continent’s most formidable sides. PSG dispatched heavyweights Liverpool and Arsenal in the knockout rounds, showcasing their attacking verve and relentless energy, while Inter Milan outmaneuvered the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, relying on their tactical nous and clinical finishing to secure their spot in the final. As the two sides prepare for this winner-take-all showdown, the question looms large: who will emerge victorious, and what underlying storylines will shape the narrative of this epic encounter? ESPN’s expert writers—Mark Ogden, Gab Marcotti, Julien Laurens, Tom Hamilton, and Bill Connelly—offer their insights into the key factors to watch and share their predictions for which team will lift the coveted trophy under the Munich lights.
The contrast between the two finalists is stark and immediately apparent, particularly when examining the composition of their squads. Inter Milan’s likely starting XI boasts an average age of 30 years and 4 months, a testament to their reliance on battle-hardened veterans who bring a wealth of experience to the pitch. Eight of their probable starters featured in Inter’s last Champions League final appearance just two years ago, underscoring the continuity and cohesion within their ranks. In contrast, PSG’s starting lineup is significantly younger, with an average age of 24 years and 7 months, reflecting a squad built on potential and dynamism. Only one PSG player, the dependable Marquinhos, has ever played in a Champions League final, highlighting the relative inexperience of this Parisian outfit on Europe’s grandest stage. This disparity in age and experience could prove to be a defining factor in how the game unfolds. A high-tempo, end-to-end affair would likely play into the hands of PSG’s youthful legs, allowing their speed and energy to overwhelm their opponents. Conversely, a slower, more tactical game, characterized by cautious build-up play and moments of tension, would theoretically favor Inter’s seasoned professionals, who have navigated such high-stakes scenarios before. However, as Gab Marcotti astutely points out, reducing this matchup to a simple dichotomy of youth versus experience oversimplifies the complexities of both teams. PSG, under Luis Enrique, have demonstrated an ability to play a controlled possession game, patiently probing for openings, as evidenced by Ousmane Dembélé’s goal against Arsenal, which came after a sequence of 26 passes. Yet they are equally capable of direct, north-south attacking, leveraging the blistering pace of players like Dembélé, Désiré Doué, and Bradley Barcola. Inter, meanwhile, are no one-dimensional outfit either. Their attacking duo of Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martínez offers a rare blend of chemistry and finishing prowess, enabling them to strike with precision and efficiency. Both managers, Luis Enrique and Simone Inzaghi, are tactically versatile, capable of adapting their strategies to exploit their opponent’s weaknesses. This adaptability could lead to a fascinating chess match, where preconceived notions about fitness, athleticism, and experience are challenged. Inter may demonstrate that modern fitness regimes allow players in their early 30s to compete at the highest level, while PSG could prove that tactical intelligence and coaching can compensate for a lack of veteran savvy. As Marcotti notes, this final has the potential to bury myths and redefine what it means to succeed in the Champions League.
While the spotlight often falls on superstar forwards in Champions League finals—think Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mohamed Salah, or Vinícius Júnior—this year’s decider could hinge on the performances of the men between the posts: Inter’s Yann Sommer and PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma. Both goalkeepers have been instrumental in their teams’ journeys to Munich, delivering heroic performances in the semifinals to propel their sides past formidable opponents. Sommer, the 36-year-old Swiss veteran, was a revelation in Inter’s semifinal triumph over Barcelona, producing at least five world-class saves in a dramatic second-leg victory. His experience, honed over a decade at Borussia Mönchengladbach and a brief stint at Bayern Munich, has made him a steadying presence for Inter since replacing André Onana. Donnarumma, meanwhile, was equally spectacular for PSG in their semifinal against Arsenal, thwarting efforts from Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka to preserve his team’s lead. Both keepers have overcome challenges in their careers—Sommer adapting to new environments and Donnarumma rebounding from early scrutiny—to establish themselves among the world’s elite. Their performances in Munich could be decisive, particularly if the match extends to a penalty shootout. Sommer’s heroics in Switzerland’s Euro 2020 shootout win over France, where he denied Kylian Mbappé, highlight his clutch ability. Donnarumma, however, boasts an extraordinary record, having won six of seven shootouts for club and country, including the Euro 2020 final against England, giving him an 87.5% success rate. As Mark Ogden observes, if the final comes down to penalties, choosing between these two titans is a near-impossible task, and their performances could very well determine who lifts the trophy.
For Luis Enrique, this final represents not just an opportunity to win another Champions League title but a chance to cement his legacy as one of the game’s great managers. In 2015, he led Barcelona to a historic treble—Champions League, LaLiga, and Copa del Rey—with a fearsome attacking trident of Messi, Suárez, and Neymar. A decade later, he stands on the cusp of repeating that feat with a different club, a rare achievement matched only by his former teammate Pep Guardiola. Unlike his Barcelona tenure, where he inherited a squad already imbued with a winning mentality, this PSG project is entirely his own. In his first year, Luis Enrique has reshaped the team, moving on from high-profile stars like Neymar and Marco Verratti who didn’t align with his vision. Instead, he has built a squad tailored to his philosophy of high pressing, high intensity, and fluid attacking play, reinforced by strategic signings like Willian Pacho, João Neves, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Désiré Doué. This PSG side has been Europe’s standout team in 2025, blending youthful exuberance with tactical discipline. As Julien Laurens notes, for Luis Enrique, this final is about more than just winning—it’s about validating his approach and proving that his meticulously crafted team can deliver on the biggest stage. The contrast with Inter’s journey is striking. While PSG dominate through relentless pressure and volume, Inter rely on efficiency and structure. Bill Connelly’s analysis highlights this dichotomy: PSG lead the Champions League in shots per possession, ball recoveries, and take-ons, overwhelming opponents with sheer quantity. Inter, conversely, prioritize quality, ranking high in xG per shot and excelling in high turnovers and set-piece situations. Their ability to absorb pressure and strike decisively, as seen against Bayern and Barcelona, makes them a formidable foe. The final could hinge on whether PSG’s relentless approach can break Inter’s disciplined structure or if Inter’s clinical counters exploit PSG’s aggression.
Munich’s history as a Champions League final host adds another layer of intrigue. The city has been a fortunate venue for teams seeking their first European crown, with Nottingham Forest (1979), Marseille (1993), Borussia Dortmund (1997), and Chelsea (2012) all claiming maiden titles there. This bodes well for PSG, who are still chasing their first Champions League triumph. Notably, Marseille’s 1993 victory came against a Milan side—AC Milan—making PSG’s matchup against Inter, another Milanese club, a curious parallel. Inter, with three European titles, aim to defy this trend, but the historical precedent favors PSG. Adding further spice is the personal duel between wing-backs Achraf Hakimi (PSG) and Denzel Dumfries (Inter). Hakimi, who left Inter for PSG in 2021, has established himself as the world’s premier right-back, while Dumfries, his replacement at Inter, has thrived in a different role, excelling in aerial duels and delivering key moments, like his brace against Barcelona. As Tom Hamilton notes, their contrasting styles—Hakimi’s interception-heavy, ground-based play versus Dumfries’ aerial dominance—could produce a defining moment. Ultimately, this final is a clash of philosophies, generations, and individual brilliance. PSG’s youthful vigor and Luis Enrique’s bold vision face a stern test against Inter’s experience and Inzaghi’s pragmatism. Whether it’s the goalkeepers’ heroics, the wing-backs’ flair, or the tactical battle on the sidelines, Saturday’s final promises to be a fitting crescendo to the 2024-25 season, with the potential to crown a new champion and write a new chapter in Champions League lore.
