Champions League
Munich, May 30: The 2024-25 UEFA Champions League, which ushered in the brand new expanded league format, is coming to an end as Paris Saint Germain and Inter Milan will clash in the final at the fabled Allianz Arena here on Sunday (IST).
PSG vie for their first-ever Champions League title—an achievement that would mark a perfect ending to their golden run across competitions this season under Luis Enrique, and mark a treble. On the other hand, the Nerazzurri will be aiming for their fourth Champions League title, looking to build on a stunning campaign filled with stellar performances, particularly their dramatic semi-final against Barcelona.
Notably, this will be the first-ever Champions League meeting between the two clubs and only the second final between teams from France and Italy. The previous instance came in the 1992/93 final, when Marseille defeated AC Milan 1-0—also in Munich, but at the Olympiastadion.
PSG’s last appearance in a Champions League final was in 2020, when they lost to Bayern Munich, while Inter last reached the final in 2023, falling short against Manchester City.
Paris had a turbulent journey in the inaugural league phase. After a shaky start, they rallied to win their final three group games and secured 15th place.
A dominant 10-0 knockout phase play-off win over domestic rivals Brest reignited their campaign.From there, Luis Enrique’s side overturned a home defeat to eliminate league phase winners Liverpool on penalties, then dispatched Aston Villa (5-4 on aggregate) and Arsenal (3-1 on aggregate)—the latter a measure of revenge for a league phase loss. Paris are now the third French team to reach the final of the European Cup/Champions League more than once, after Reims (1955/56, 1958/59) and Marseille (1990/91, 1992/93).Inter, by contrast, were among the most consistent sides in the league phase, finishing fourth with just one defeat—a 1-0 loss at Bayer Leverkusen, which was also the only goal they conceded.
In the knockout phase, Simone Inzaghi’s men eased past Feyenoord, edged Bayern 4-3 on aggregate in a tightly contested tie, and outlasted Barcelona in a thrilling semi-final that ended 7-6 on aggregate.This will be Inter’s seventh European Cup/Champions League final. They have won 10 matches in this edition—their highest tally in a single UEFA competition season.
The Nerazzurri have lost only one of their 14 Champions League matches this term and are unbeaten in their last eight.As the curtain prepares to fall on what has been a transformative UEFA Champions League season, the stage is now set for a finale steeped in legacy, ambition, and the promise of footballing history. In a tournament that introduced sweeping changes to its format, only two teams have endured the chaos, the challenges, and the relentless march of elite European football to earn the right to walk out at Munich’s Allianz Arena—Paris Saint Germain and Inter Milan. For PSG, this final is more than just a shot at silverware—it is the culmination of a season of rebirth, recalibration, and resilience.
A treble beckons under the astute guidance of Luis Enrique, and with it, the chance to finally silence the doubters and etch their name onto the most coveted trophy in club football.
On the opposite side stands Inter Milan—a club rich with tradition, experience, and a squad that has grown from strength to strength under Simone Inzaghi. Their journey, marked by defensive steel, tactical clarity, and sheer willpower, is a testament to Italian football’s enduring pedigree on the continental stage.
This final is not just a battle between two teams, but a collision of narratives—the flair of Paris versus the grit of Milan, the pursuit of a maiden triumph versus the hunger for a fourth crown, the new age of European contenders facing off against the custodians of footballing heritage.
In a city that has witnessed European glory before, another chapter is about to be written—one that will forever live in the memories of fans, players, and the beautiful game itself. (AP)