Inter vs PSG: A Clash of Styles in the Champions League Final

The Champions League final is set. PSG takes on Inter in a battle of tactics and skill. Who will emerge victorious?

The football world will come to a standstill on Saturday night as Paris Saint-Germain and Internazionale clash in the Champions League final. PSG are appearing in the end-of-season showpiece for just the second time, having lost to Bayern Munich in the 2019/20 final - the same team whose home ground will host this season's final.

Inter are appearing in their second final in three years, seeking to avenge their loss to Manchester City last time out, and seventh overall. The Nerazzurri have previously won the European Cup/Champions League three times (1964, 1965, and 2010). In contrast, PSG are still chasing their first UCL title. A win for PSG would continue a distinct narrative in the competition.

Doué no-look pass 🕶️#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/dj3Y2AuA2O

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 30, 2025

Munich's Winning History

The 2025 Champions League final will be the fifth to be held in Munich. Interestingly, all four previous winners lifted the trophy for the first time in the city's stadiums. These winners include Nottingham Forest in 1979, Marseille in 1993, Borussia Dortmund in 1997, and Chelsea in 2012.

Marseille's 1993 victory stands out as the only time a French team has won the Champions League. Notably, they achieved this feat by defeating AC Milan, who also play their home games at San Siro, in the final.

French Clubs' European Drought

French clubs have a notorious record in major European finals, with only two wins in 15 attempts. PSG's hopes may have been boosted by the 1993 victory, but their own drought in the Champions League continues, having played 167 games without claiming the title - the fourth-most games played without a win in the competition's history since 1955.

Luis Enrique's PSG will likely adopt an attacking approach against Inter, similar to Barcelona's strategy in the semi-final. However, they should be cautious, as Inter has a remarkable record this season, having trailed in only 1.2% of their matches in the competition, indicating their strong defensive solidity.

Thuram freestylin' ⚽️#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/EPUb8FGHL5

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 30, 2025

One potential concern for Inter as the game wears on is the age of their players. They've given 43.3% of minutes to players over 30 in the competition this season. In contrast, PSG has limited their minutes to just one player over 30, Marquinhos.

Simone Inzaghi aims to avoid becoming the ninth manager to lose two or more Champions League finals. A win would put him in an elite group, joining Fabio Capello and Thomas Tuchel, who both lost their first UCL final but won their second.

Luis Enrique's Champions League Ambition

Luis Enrique won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015, when his team defeated Juventus 3-1 in Berlin. If PSG emerges victorious, Enrique would join an elite group of managers who have won the trophy with two different teams, including Carlo Ancelotti, Ottmar Hitzfeld, Josef Heynckes, Jose Mourinho, and Pep Guardiola.

Vitinha is set to play a crucial role for PSG, having completed the most passes overall in the tournament (1,222) this season. Only Xavi has recorded more passes in a single edition, with 1,299 in 2012/13 and 1,244 in 2010/11. Vitinha has also excelled under pressure, completing the most passes under high-intensity pressure (665) in the 2024/25 season.

Despite Vitinha's impressive stats, he's likely to be overshadowed by the headline-grabbing stars of both teams, who consistently make the news with their performances.

Dembele and Martinez Shine

Ousmane Dembele has found new life at PSG, showcasing the talent he failed to deliver at Barcelona. He's created 35 chances, the most by a French player in the competition since Jerome Rothen in 2003/04. Dembele's 12 UCL goal involvements (8 goals, 4 assists) are the most in one season by any PSG player, with only Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring more (10 in 2013/14). Meanwhile, Lautaro Martinez is poised to make history with Inter.

Lautaro Martinez is on the cusp of history, needing just one more goal to become the first Inter player to score 10 in a major European competition. The Nerazzurri captain is also on the verge of a notable record, which would see him join an elite group of players who have scored in the Round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final, and final.

Inter's Defensive Prowess

Inter has proven their ability to counter free-flowing opponents, as seen in their thrilling semi-finals against Barcelona. Those matches showcased Inter's defensive solidity and ability to thrive against teams that play on the front foot, setting the stage for an exciting showdown.

Inter's defensive capabilities were also on display in the 2023 final against Man City, where they were only overcome by a moment of brilliance from Rodri, having largely kept the opponents at bay. This defensive approach shouldn't be seen as negative, as Inzaghi is simply setting his team up to play to its strengths.

While PSG's style may be more aesthetically pleasing, Inter's approach can be just as effective. Ultimately, winning titles is what matters, not just the way you play. Regardless, Saturday's match promises to be an electrifying encounter, and it wouldn't be surprising if it comes down to the wire, potentially even being decided by a penalty shootout.