PSG vs Inter Milan – Champions League Final Preview: History Awaits in Munich

Munich’s Allianz Arena hosts a blockbuster final between PSG and Inter Milan.

The club football season reaches its climax on Saturday night as Paris Saint-Germain aim to lift the UEFA Champions League trophy for the first time in their illustrious history. Their opponents at Munich’s iconic Allianz Arena are Inter Milan, three-time European champions with a wealth of experience on this stage.

This final sets the stage for a compelling battle of styles and philosophies, as PSG’s dynamic young squad faces off against the seasoned veterans of Simone Inzaghi’s Inter side. Inter narrowly missed out on the Serie A title to Napoli on the final day of the season, and questions remain about the psychological toll that near miss may have taken.

Both clubs are all too familiar with Champions League heartbreak. Inter were edged out by Manchester City in the 2023 final in Istanbul, while PSG fell short against Bayern Munich in 2020. Now, each side has a chance to rewrite their recent European history. 

For years, it has felt as though Paris Saint-Germain were destined to fall short of the Champions League crown — the ultimate prize their Qatari owners have long pursued as football’s holy grail.

Luis Enrique has reshaped PSG’s identity around a young, cohesive squad.

Under Luis Enrique, who guided Barcelona to European glory in 2015, PSG have undergone a transformation. The club has moved away from a collection of overpriced superstars towards a youthful, hungry squad with a clear identity.

Their Champions League campaign got off to a shaky start; they won just one of their first five group stage matches and came dangerously close to an early exit. Yet since the turn of the year, PSG have arguably been the most impressive side in Europe, registering statement wins over Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal.

Inter Milan, in contrast, enjoyed a more composed group stage, progressing with trademark Italian defensive discipline. However, that stability was tested to the limit in a dramatic, end-to-end semi-final against Barcelona, which they narrowly edged over two thrilling legs.

Both sides possess attacking firepower capable of troubling any defense. For PSG, a revitalized Ousmane Dembélé will be aiming to add to his impressive tally of eight Champions League goals this season, while Inter’s Lautaro Martínez has found the net in every knockout round so far.

Despite the attacking talent on display, Champions League finals are rarely high-scoring affairs.

Goalkeepers Could Prove Decisive

On occasions like this, goalkeepers can be just as influential as the strikers. PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma has delivered some exceptional performances, producing crucial saves against both Arsenal and Aston Villa, and playing a vital role in their penalty shootout win at Anfield. However, the Italian remains a high-risk, high-reward figure — capable of brilliance, but also prone to costly errors.

In contrast, Inter’s Yann Sommer may lack Donnarumma’s raw ability, but he offers consistent, dependable performances and currently boasts the best expected goals (xG) prevented of any goalkeeper in the competition.

Prediction: A Tight, Tactical Final That Could Go the Distance

This final has all the makings of a tight, tense affair that could go the distance. Should it come down to penalties, PSG may hold the edge, with Donnarumma’s shootout heroics giving them a potential psychological advantage — something Inter will be eager to avoid.

Whatever the outcome, both teams can be proud of their campaigns. It is due to be a spectacle this Saturday night.