The European club football season culminates tonight as Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan face off in the Champions League final in Munich. PSG, often the bridesmaids of this competition, are chasing their first ever title, while Inter, seasoned veterans, hope to add a fourth Champions League crown to their glittering trophy cabinet at the Allianz Arena.
This might not have been the final everyone predicted, but it's shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in years. It's truly a toss-up as to which style of play will dominate in Bavaria tonight.
Both clubs have earned their spot in the final through very different approaches. PSG has dazzled with their free-flowing, expansive football, catching the eye of many. Inter, however, have relied on stylish yet stubborn tactical masterclasses that successfully frustrated giants like Bayern Munich and Barcelona on their journey here.
There's so much on the line for both teams. PSG is on the cusp of completing a historic treble, aiming to be the first French club ever to achieve such a feat. Inter, despite being in the hunt for a treble themselves just a month ago, now desperately hope to avoid ending the season trophyless after falling short in Serie A and the Coppa Italia.
Cast your mind back to November, and it seemed entirely possible that PSG might not even make it out of the Champions League group stage, with manager Luis Enrique's job hanging by a thread. However, the club's transformation in 2025 has been nothing short of astonishing.
They've been, by far, the most impressive team in Europe since the turn of the year. The Parisians comfortably secured the Ligue 1 title and effortlessly swept aside Reims in the Coupe de France final just last week. Now, they're just one game away from completing what would be a perfect season, a dream their Qatari owners have patiently awaited for over 14 years.
Enrique's men would be truly deserving champions, especially after all the scrutiny about their pedigree at this level and the heartbreaking letdowns they've endured in recent years. They've showcased their strength by winning at formidable venues like Anfield and the Emirates Stadium during the knockout stages, and displayed incredible resilience to hold off Aston Villa in the quarter-finals.
French football has long yearned for continental success, with Marseille being the only French club to have previously won this competition. Interestingly, a curious omen might favor PSG: Marseille's victory came in Munich against a Milan club, as they defeated AC Milan at the Olympic Stadium way back in 1993.
Furthermore, on all four previous occasions the Champions League final has been held in Munich, a first-time winner has been crowned. PSG will be looking to join the esteemed list of Nottingham Forest, Marseille, Borussia Dortmund, and Chelsea in that regard.
PSG was the last French team to win a continental title, but that was in the now-defunct Cup Winners' Cup during the 1995-96 season, almost three decades ago. Their only previous Champions League final appearance ended in defeat behind closed doors in 2020 to Bayern Munich.
Inter, too, faced the same fate in 2023, losing to Manchester City in Istanbul. That defeat means all three of Inter's Champions League final losses have come against a team that went on to win the treble, something PSG will achieve with a victory here. However, the Italian giants have a rich history to draw upon, boasting three Champions League triumphs already.
After missing out on both Serie A and the Coppa Italia, Simone Inzaghi's Inter squad will be desperate to make amends for not crossing the finish line in those competitions, as well as for their Champions League final defeat two years ago.
Talk of a treble was widespread following their incredible 7-6 aggregate victory over Barcelona in the semi-finals. Even if they only manage to lift the Champions League trophy, it would still mark one of the greatest seasons in the club's history, especially considering how few people fancied them at the start of the season.
Inter hasn't been as consistently convincing in the past few months, only narrowly getting past Bayern after winning away from home, suffering defeats in Serie A to Bologna and Roma, and fatally dropping points against Lazio, which ultimately cost them the league title. They also crashed out of the Coppa Italia to rivals AC Milan after a heavy home defeat.
However, the Nerazzurri are a better team than they were in 2023 when Manchester City beat them in Istanbul. Captain Lautaro Martinez has made it clear that the squad has been determined to rectify that result ever since. Inter's true strength lies in their ability to control games, often taking the lead.
They've led in 11 of their 14 Champions League matches this season and have only trailed for a combined total of seven minutes – once in injury time against Bayer Leverkusen in the league phase, and briefly late in the second leg of their semi-final against Barcelona before Francesco Acerbi's equalizer.
Inzaghi's men enter the final as slight underdogs, but they were also unfancied by the betting markets against both Bayern and Barcelona. So, underestimate Inter at your peril!
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
For Paris Saint-Germain, manager Luis Enrique has virtually his entire squad at his disposal. The only player sidelined is Presnel Kimpembe, who has barely featured all season due to a leg injury anyway.
This means PSG could line up very similarly to how they did in their semi-final clash against Arsenal. Ousmane Dembele, who came on as a substitute in that second leg, is expected to start this time around. Enrique now faces an interesting decision between selecting Desire Doue or Bradley Barcola, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia seems to be a definite starter.
Inter Milan has received some great news on the injury front. Their only two previous doubts, Benjamin Pavard and Piotr Zielinski, have both returned to training this week and were seen looking cheerful with their teammates. This means they should both be available for the squad on Saturday.
Captain Lautaro Martinez, who played through pain for 70 minutes during the second leg win over Barcelona, has been given ample rest and recovery time, ensuring he'll be fit for this crucial match.
Manager Simone Inzaghi even took the opportunity to rest almost his entire first-choice starting eleven for last Friday's trip to Como. From that lineup, only goalkeeper Yann Sommer, wing-back Federico Dimarco, and playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu are likely to retain their spots for the final.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
EXPERT PREDICTION
PSG 1-2 Inter Milan
