Final Liga Champions: Inter vs PSG
European football has reached its climax in the thrilling UEFA Champions League final, as Milan’s Inter vs PSG take on the Paris giants for the most prestigious club trophy in world football. London’s legendary Wembley Stadium is the venue for this historic clash, drawing a crowd of over 90,000 and attracting millions of fans around the world. The match is a classic clash between the tactical discipline of Italy and the attacking prowess of France.
Introduction
Both teams’ journeys to the final were filled with moments of brilliance and tough tests. Inter, under the guidance of the experienced Simone Inzaghi, showed an impressive transformation during the tournament. After confidently advancing through the group stage, the Italians overcame Porto in the round of 16 with a solid performance. Their tactical victory over Barcelona in the quarter-finals was a testament to Inzaghi’s ingenuity, while overcoming the challenge of Bayern Munich in the semi-finals 3-2 on aggregate confirmed their status as serious contenders for the trophy.
PSG, under the guidance of Luis Enrique, also showed significant progress in their approach to Europe’s elite competition. No longer relying solely on individual talent, they built a stronger team identity throughout the season. After dominating the group stage, PSG beat Arsenal in the round of 16 and then eliminated holders Real Madrid in the quarter-finals in an epic match that will live on for years to come. Their convincing victory over Manchester City in the semi-finals 4-2 on aggregate showed that the Parisians had reached a new tactical maturity.
The Wembley final represents different quests for the two clubs: Inter seeking their sixth Champions League trophy and a rise to the top of European football, while PSG are still chasing the first elite trophy that has always been the ultimate goal of their Qatari owners.
Team Preparation
Ahead of the final, both teams prepared intensively with different approaches. Inter relied on the 3-5-2 formation that has become their identity under Inzaghi. A solid defensive trio of Bastoni, Acerbi and Pavard provided a solid foundation, while a balanced midfield of Barella, Calhanoglu and Mkhitaryan combined creativity with physicality. Up front, captain Lautaro Martinez partnered Marcus Thuram to form a dynamic attacking duo.
PSG opted to use a 4-3-3 formation with Kylian Mbappé as the focal point of their attack. The French star was supported by Dembélé and Asensio on either flank, while a creative midfield of Vitinha, Zaïre-Emery and Fabian Ruiz was responsible for controlling the tempo of the game. The defence was led by captain Marquinhos who partnered former Inter defender Milan Škriniar – an interesting subplot to the match.
The pre-match press conferences revealed the contrasting mentalities of the two coaches. Inzaghi stressed the importance of his team’s balance and experience, while Enrique spoke of PSG’s evolution into a more cohesive unit. Tactical observers predict an intriguing clash between Inter’s layered defence and PSG’s dynamic attack.
Course of the Match
The match started with great intensity, with both teams determined to take control from the off. PSG, as expected, dominated the early possession with quick passing and fluid movement. Inter, with their trademark tactical discipline, formed a well-organised defensive block, ready to launch dangerous counter-attacks.
The first chance came in the 14th minute when a swift Inter counter-attack saw Barella release Martinez with a brilliant through ball. The Argentine striker was one-on-one with Donnarumma, but the Italian goalkeeper made a crucial save with his feet. PSG responded five minutes later through Ruiz’s long-range shot which forced Onana into a spectacular save.
The balance of the match began to change towards the middle of the first half, with Inter gradually gaining more control in midfield. The breakthrough finally came in the 37th minute. From a corner, the ball fell to Calhanoglu on the edge of the box. The Turkish midfielder unleashed a powerful volley that hit the post and bounced into the net, giving Inter a 1-0 lead.
PSG, shaken by the goal, increased the pressure before the break. A brilliant combination between Mbappé and Vitinha almost produced an equaliser, but Mbappé’s finish was heroically blocked by Pavard. The first half ended with Inter narrowly leading 1-0.
The second half saw PSG come out with renewed intensity. Luis Enrique made a tactical change, bringing on Lee Kang-in to add creativity in midfield. The strategy soon paid off in the 52nd minute when a PSG breakaway led to a Dembélé cross that was volleyed home by Mbappé, levelling the score at 1-1.
With the scores level, the match turned into a fascinating tactical battle. Both coaches made changes in search of an edge, with Inzaghi bringing on Frattesi and Sánchez to add fresh energy. PSG almost took the lead in the 67th minute when Asensio’s free-kick hit the crossbar.
The crucial moment came in the 76th minute. After a scramble for possession in the middle of the pitch, Frattesi played a perfect through ball to Martinez who calmly rounded Donnarumma and slotted home his second goal of the final, putting Inter back 2-1 up. The Inter fans erupted in jubilation, while Inzaghi celebrated emotionally on the sidelines.
PSG launched a flurry of attacks in the final 15 minutes, pounding the Inter defence with intensity. Their pressure almost paid off in the 88th minute when Marquinhos’ header from a corner was spectacularly tipped onto the crossbar by Onana. Five minutes of dramatic stoppage time saw PSG continue to press, but Inter’s defence held on heroically to secure the win.
Key Players
Several players put in outstanding performances in a thrilling final. For Inter, Lautaro Martinez confirmed his status as one of the world’s best strikers with a decisive winner. Nicolò Barella dominated the midfield with his precise distribution and tireless defensive work, while Alessandro Bastoni displayed great maturity in organising the defence against PSG’s dangerous attacks.
For PSG, despite the defeat, Kylian Mbappé continued to show his world-class quality with the equaliser and a constant threat throughout. Vitinha was impressive in midfield, while Gianluigi Donnarumma prevented an even worse result with a couple of key saves.
André Onana also deserves special praise for his performance between the sticks for Inter, with a crucial save in the dying minutes that ultimately secured the trophy for the Italians.
Statistics
The match data reveals interesting dynamics from this final. PSG dominated possession with 62% to 38%, and had more shots (17 to 11). However, Inter were more efficient with 6 shots on target to PSG’s 5, showing their clinical approach in front of goal.
Inter showed defensive strength with 24 successful tackles and 15 interceptions, while PSG registered more corners (8 to 4). In terms of individual statistics, Barella covered the highest distance (12.4 kilometers), while Mbappé made 9 successful dribbles from 14 attempts. Martinez was the player with the highest chance conversion percentage, scoring from 2 of his 3 shots.
The match heat map shows how Inter focused on exploiting the right side of PSG’s defense, while the Parisians dominated the central areas with their high passing volume.
Conclusion
The 2025 Champions League final will be remembered as a stunning tactical display that proved that team discipline, clever strategy and efficiency in front of goal can trump possession dominance and individual talent. Inter’s victory marked the Italian club’s real rise to the European stage and the success of Inzaghi’s project of building a team that perfectly balanced Italian defensive traditions and a more progressive modern football.
For PSG, although the defeat extended their wait for the Champions League trophy, the positive developments under Enrique cannot be ignored. The Parisians have evolved into a more cohesive unit, although ultimately it was still not enough to overcome Inter’s tactical maturity and winning mentality.
When captain Lautaro Martinez lifted the “Big Ears” trophy amidst a sea of passionate black-and-blue fans, the moment represented not only Inter’s sixth title but also proof that with a balanced approach and a strong team identity, Italian football’s traditions remain relevant in the modern era. For European football as a whole, the final confirmed that while the game continues to evolve, the fundamental principles of football – organisation, efficiency and a winning mentality – remain the determining factors for success at the highest level.