New Delhi: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will be eyeing history with their maiden title, while Inter Milan will be eager to bring an end to their long agonising wait for their fourth trophy when the two teams lock horns in the Champions League 2024-25 final in Munich on Sunday, June 01. An exuberant, youthful PSG team will be up against an experienced Inter side that has taken some of the giants on their way to the final.
Without big names in their squad for the first time in many years, Luis Enrique’s PSG has arguably been one of the most potent forces across Europe in the second half of the season. Enrique has not only instilled belief in the squad, but the Spaniard, who once made MSN an unstoppable force in club football during his time at Barcelona, has built a team that is extremely adaptable and can switch seamlessly between possession and attacking football.
A hungry squad with an average age of 24 and 7 months, PSG might look thin on experience on paper; however, with the likes of Marquinhos, Achraf Hakimi and Ousmane Dembele in their ranks, there is no dearth of pedigree. PSG, who are eyeing a quadruple this season, will be out in Munich to write a new chapter in European football’s history.
Inter Milan ride on experience
Inter Milan have far more experience in their ranks compared to PSG, with several players still in the squad who featured in the Champions League final against Manchester City a couple of years back. Simone Inzaghi has since rebuilt his Inter team into a more balanced, defensively solid and more cohesive squad.
The results are proof. Inter Milan slayed Bayern Munich before beating a more fancied FC Barcelona side to reach their second final in the last three seasons. Inter Milan will be riding on their experience to counter the youthful exuberance of PSG on their way to realising their European dream. No Italian team since Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan in 2010 has managed to lift the Champions League crown.
This will be Inter Milan’s seventh appearance in a Champions League final, having won the tournament thrice in 1964, 1965 and 2010. They lost 1-0 to Manchester City in their last final in 2023. However, a lot has changed at Inter since. Throughout their campaign in the Champions League this season, Inter have blindly put faith in their defence, with the opponents enjoying more possession and shots than them, however, they have allowed only 1.3 shots worth 0.2 xG or more, highlighting their solidity at the back.
Why PSG will be at advantage in final?
Marseille’s triumph in 1993 was the last time a French club won the Champions League. Interestingly, Marseille defeated Italian side AC Milan 1-0 in the final to win the trophy, and the summit clash was held in Munich. It was also Marseille’s maiden Champions League triumph.
PSG will be hoping to take inspiration from their Ligue 1 rivals as they chase their European dream in Munich, in a final against an Italian team on Sunday. This will be PSG’s second appearance in a Champions League final. They lost to Bayern Munich in their maiden final in the 2019-20 season.
In the last five Champions League finals in Munich, the teams that won in the last four finals claimed their respective maiden trophies. Nottingham Forest (1979), Marseille (1993), Borussia Dortmund (1997) and Chelsea (2012) all won their maiden Champions League titles in the last four finals held in Munich. PSG will be looking to continue the trend against Inter Milan.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will be eyeing their maiden Champions League glory, while Inter Milan will be aiming to clinch their fourth title when they lock horns with each other in the all-important final in Munich on Sunday. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
