This year’s final pits Paris Saint-Germain against Inter Milan—two European giants with contrasting histories, philosophies, and motivations, but one shared ambition: to lift the most coveted club trophy in world football.
This encounter promises not only a clash of styles but a battle of legacies.For Inter Milan, it's a chance to reassert Italian supremacy in a competition they once ruled with elegance and grit.
Let’s take a deep dive into the storylines, tactics, stars, and predictions for what promises to be a classic.
After navigating a challenging Group C alongside Arsenal, Porto, and RB Salzburg, they advanced as group winners. The Parisians showed flashes of brilliance, especially with a 4–1 demolition of Arsenal at Parc des Princes, but also had moments of concern, including a narrow draw in Portugal. In the knockout stages, PSG turned up the intensity. In the Round of 16, they overcame a stubborn Napoli side, The quarterfinals saw them eliminate Manchester City in a tactical masterclass by manager Luis Enrique. Then came perhaps their biggest statement—dismantling Bayern Munich 5–2 on aggregate in the semifinals, silencing critics and exorcising past demons in Europe. The transformation under Enrique has been notable. The squad now balances attacking flair with midfield control, relying less on individual heroics and more on collective play. Inter Milan: The Tactical Machine Rolls On
Inter Milan’s march to the final has been quieter, yet equally impressive. They topped Group F, defeating Atlético Madrid, Celtic, and Shakhtar Donetsk, with a style blending old-school Italian defending and modern, fluid attacking transitions. Lautaro Martínez vs. Marquinhos The duel of captains: Inter’s Lautaro Martínez, Serie A’s top scorer this season, will look to breach a PSG backline marshaled by Marquinhos. The Brazilian has had a commanding campaign, but Lautaro’s movement, positioning, and instinctive finishing make him a constant threat. One mistake could tilt this in Inter’s favor. Expect a physical, chess-like confrontation between two of South America’s elite. This could be his final act in a PSG shirt—a farewell performance written in gold. Lautaro Martínez (Inter) The Argentine forward is the embodiment of grit and guile. Leading the line for Inter with authority, he’s scored crucial goals throughout the tournament. His link-up play with Marcus Thuram and instinct in the box are top-tier. Lautaro is more than just a poacher—he drops deep, draws defenders, and creates space. If Inter scores, chances are he’s involved. Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG) & Yann Sommer (Inter) Goalkeepers often define finals. Donnarumma has been imperious this season, making key saves against City and Bayern. Sommer, meanwhile, has been Inter’s rock—especially in the shootout against Madrid. This could well be a battle of who blinks first between the sticks. Team News & Lineups Projected PSG Starting XI (4-3-3) GK: Donnarumma DEF: Hakimi, Marquinhos, Skriniar, Nuno Mendes MID: Ugarte, Vitinha, Ruiz FWD: Dembélé, Kolo Muani Unavailable: Lucas Hernández (injured) Projected Inter Starting XI (3-5-2) GK: Sommer DEF: Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni MID: Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco FWD: Thuram, Martínez Unavailable: Frattesi (doubtful), Arnautović (injured) Historical Context This will be PSG’s second appearance in a Champions League final, after losing to Bayern in 2020. Since then, they've invested heavily in assembling a winning squad but have often stumbled at the final hurdle. For Inter, this is their first final since 2010, when José Mourinho led them to a famous treble. With three European titles under their belt, they carry the weight of history and expectation.
