The Allianz Arena in Munich is set for a gripping showdown as Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan lock horns in the Champions League final. Both sides earned their spots with impressive semi-final performances — PSG outclassing Arsenal 3-1 over two legs and Inter edging past Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate in a dramatic tie.
The French champions enter this final with the youngest squad left in the tournament, while their Italian rivals arrive with the most seasoned lineup. These contrasting dynamics have shaped their respective tactics since the group stage — PSG adopting a more solid defensive setup, and Inter opting for a bolder attacking approach.
Historically, finals like these have been tight affairs. The last six showdowns for Europe’s top club prize have averaged under three goals, with four ending 1-0 and two concluding 2-0. Teams like Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and Liverpool have triumphed in such low-scoring battles, despite their dominant runs en route to the final.
Munich has hosted three previous European Cup finals — with Nottingham Forest, Marseille, Borussia Dortmund, and Chelsea all emerging as first-time winners. That bit of trivia may offer some hope to PSG, who are still chasing their maiden Champions League title after falling short against Bayern Munich in 2020.
Inter, however, bring a storied history to the table, having lifted the trophy three times — in 1964, 1965, and 2010 — though they’ve also endured three defeats at this stage, most recently to Manchester City. The current squad, eager to bounce back from narrowly missing out on the Serie A title to Napoli, will be determined to end that streak.
Bookmakers see a close contest on the cards. Odds favor under 2.5 goals, consistent with recent final trends. A 0-0 or 1-1 draw after 90 minutes is in play, with extra time a real possibility. Should that happen, PSG’s younger legs might provide the crucial edge.
Player-wise, Ousmane Dembele has enjoyed a stellar season with 32 goals and is tipped to score during regular time. Meanwhile, Inter’s Lautaro Martinez, easing back from injury, remains a danger in front of goal and could be decisive if fit.
As anticipation builds, fans await a tactical and physical battle where even the smallest margin could determine who’s crowned champions of Europe.