European football`s most prestigious trophy is at stake this Saturday as Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan face off in the 2025 Champions League final. This matchup brings together two teams who navigated contrasting paths to reach this stage.
PSG encountered difficulties during the group phase but significantly improved their performance in the knockout rounds. Meanwhile, Inter`s defense has been a standout feature of the competition, complementing the impressive form of attackers like Lautaro Martinez and Denzel Dumfries.
For Paris Saint-Germain, lifting the Champions League trophy would be a historic first for the club, and under the guidance of coach Luis Enrique, the squad feels prepared for the magnitude of the occasion. Inter, however, is no stranger to final pressure, as many of their players were part of the team that lost the 2022-23 final to Manchester City.
The presence of creative players such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele, who have transformed PSG into one of the world`s leading attacking forces, suggests this final could be more open than typical title deciders. Inter faces a difficult task in containing PSG`s offense, but they have demonstrated they can compete effectively even in high-paced games.
Below we delve into the key aspects of the final, including how the teams reached Munich, lineup considerations, and our prediction.
How They Reached the Final
Paris Saint-Germain: Concerns were raised about PSG`s chances of progressing past the group stage after a poor start, earning just four points from their initial five matches. However, they turned their form around to finish 15th in the league phase and qualify for the knockouts. Their path included a dominant 10-0 aggregate win over Brest, a dramatic shootout victory against Liverpool at Anfield after losing the first leg at home, a close 5-4 aggregate win over Aston Villa despite nearly letting a lead slip, and finally overcoming fellow English side Arsenal 3-1 on aggregate to book their place in the final.
Inter: Inter had a less complicated route compared to PSG. Finishing fourth in the league phase secured them a bye into the Round of 16. They comfortably defeated Dutch side Feyenoord 4-1 on aggregate. The quarter-final against Bayern Munich was tougher; a first-leg win in Munich allowed Inter to narrowly advance 4-3 on aggregate, thanks in part to crucial plays from Davide Frattesi. The semi-final against Barcelona provided significant drama, featuring a thrilling 3-3 draw in the away leg where Denzel Dumfries shone, followed by a wild 4-3 extra-time victory in the second leg (7-6 on aggregate) propelled by Frattesi again.
Team News and Lineup Considerations
A key question for PSG is the fitness of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. His arrival from Napoli significantly boosted PSG`s attack, providing unpredictability when interchanging with Dembele. He missed the Coupe de France final with an undisclosed injury. Although Kvaratskhelia has returned to training ahead of the final, it`s uncertain if he`s fully fit, leaving coach Luis Enrique with potentially difficult selection decisions. Given PSG`s attacking depth, starting Bradley Barcola on the wing is an option if Kvaratskhelia isn`t at peak fitness, though it would undoubtedly impact PSG`s initial attacking threat.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Paris Saint-Germain: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Marquinhos, Achraf Hakimi, Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Joao Neves, Ousmane Dembele, Deserie Doue, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Inter Milan: Yann Sommer, Yann Bisseck, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni, Denzel Dumfries, Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Federico Dimarco, Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram
Player Spotlight
Ousmane Dembele, Paris Saint-Germain: Considered one of the standout footballers of 2025, Ousmane Dembele will pose a significant challenge for Inter`s defense. The French forward is a strong candidate for individual awards this year, having contributed 24 goals and six assists across all competitions. The Champions League final offers him a platform to deliver a defining performance. Historically hampered by injuries, PSG has successfully managed his fitness, allowing him to thrive and become a central figure in their attacking strategy.
Key Match Storyline
The Treble Chase: Having already secured the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France, PSG is the last remaining club capable of completing the treble this season. Achieving this feat would make them the first team since Manchester City in 2022-23 to do so, and Luis Enrique would join an elite group of coaches to have won the treble twice. PSG`s pursuit of their first ever Champions League title is already historical, but their noticeable improvement this season, even without Kylian Mbappe, highlights Enrique`s effective management. One final match stands between them and completing a remarkable season.
Final Prediction
Inter has demonstrated resilience and tactical awareness throughout their campaign and will undoubtedly make it difficult for PSG. However, PSG`s attacking versatility, with players capable of scoring from various positions and distances, might be the crucial difference. It`s incredibly challenging for any defense to cover every area of the pitch against them, and a moment of brilliance or a well-taken shot could open the game up. Our prediction is for a close but ultimately victorious outcome for the Parisian side.
Predicted Score: PSG 2, Inter 1
