The Champions Blog #2.17

 THE CHAMPIONS BLOG 

Just like that, another enthralling season in the Champions League has come to an end. Once again, the Champions League delivered on countless big occasions throughout the entire season, and with the final in Munich being the pinnacle of the season, all we can is "thanks for the memories". It's been quite a ride this season. This is the Champions Blog. 

Saturday 31st May 2025: 

Paris Saint Germain vs Inter Milan (Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany)

As the streets in Munich are filled up with supporters embedded in red, blue and black, Luis Enrique and Simone Inzaghi prepare their men for arguably the biggest night of their lives. After battling their way across Europe since September, their date with destiny has arrived, with the weeks of training now behind them. Inter Milan's last final came in the 2022/23 season, just two years ago, when Simone Inzaghi's men lost 1-0 in Istanbul to hand Manchester City their first Champions League win in their history. Meanwhile, PSG's last Champions League final came in a COVID-ridden 2019/20 season, when they lost in the hands of Bayern Munich, 1-0. Luis Enrique has kept is go-to 4-3-3 formation, and has only made one change to his side who defeated Arsenal 2-1 in the Parc de Princes last time out, with Ousmane Dembélé regaining his striker position, with Bradley Barcola dropping to the bench. Meanwhile, Simone Inzaghi has kept the usual 3-5-2 formation but has also made only one change to the starting 11 that dramatically defeated Barcelona with Benjamin Pavard taking the place of Yann Aurel Bisseck in defence. After the fans got into the mood thanks to an opening ceremony delivered by Linkin Park, we were ready to kick off. 

Starting Line-Ups: 

PSG Starting XI: G.Donnarumma, N.Mendes, W.Pacho, Marquinhos (C), A.Hakimi, F.Ruiz, Vitinha, J.Neves, K.Kvaratskhelia, O.Dembélé, D.Doué

Inter Starting XI: Y.Sommer, A.Bastoni, F.Acerbi, B.Pavard, F.Dimarco, H.Mkhitaryan, H.Çalhanoğlu, N.Barella, D.Dumfries, L.Martínez (C), M.Thuram

Picture Above: American band, Linkin Park conducting an opening ceremony before kick-off.

Within just 10 minutes into the game, PSG almost hit front when Ousmane Dembélé drove onto the edge of the Inter penalty area. The Frenchmen struck low, but his shot was easily caught by Yann Sommer. However, just a minute later, PSG opened the scoring in the final through a lovely and well-worked team goal. On the edge of the Inter penalty area, Vitinha played a pinpoint through ball to Désiré Doué, with Federico Dimarco playing him onside. He was unselfish and made the extra pass to Achraf Hakimi, who simply tapped the ball into an open net, making it 1-0 to the Parisians. 

GOAL: PSG 1-0 Inter (A.Hakimi 12')

As the game carried on, Inter started to look more and more insecure, giving the ball away easily and failing to advance past the PSG backline. Eventually, Inter's insecurities would lead to PSG taking numerical advantage over them. In the 19th minute, follwoing an Inter throw in, it came off the head of Willian Pacho, as Nicollo Barella looked to roll the ball out for a corner, but Pacho kept the ball in, and PSG launched into a counter attack. Following a run from Dembélé, the Frenchman switched the play to Doué, who took a touch before striking a volley goalwards. His shot took a deflection off Dimarco, fooling Sommer before going into the back of the net, doubling the Parisians' lead, making Doué the youngest player ever to score and assist in a Champions League. 

GOAL: PSG 2-0 Inter (D.Doué 20') 

Inter weren't ready to give up just yet, as they finally got their first chance of the game. Following a corner flown in, Francesco Acerbi rose highest, but couldn't head the ball down goalwards, and reduce the deficit for Inter Milan. However, Inter would improve their attack from then, and came close again from a corner. This time, it was Marcus Thuram with the chance, with the Frenchman heading wide, letting PSG off again. PSG meanwhile would have made it 3-0, when Doué curled in a cross to Dembélé, who had the simple task of tapping the ball into the back of the net; however, the ball squared back across goal, letting Inter off. Eventually, the teams would go into the half time interval, and at this point, it's PSG's final to lose. 

Half Time: PSG 2-0 Inter 

Already, within just four minutes into the second half, PSG caught Inter napping in defence, causing Kvicha Kvaratskhelia to pounce on a chance. He takes a lot of power into his shot, but unfortunately, sent the shot wide, letting Inter off the hook. Despite this, things would inly get worse for Inter. Within just 10 minutes into his Champions League final, Yann Aurel Bisseck would have to be withdrawn for Inter after suffering a hamstring injury, with Matteo Darmian taking his place. Just a minute after Bisseck's withdrawal, PSG would counter attack again. Dembélé cleverly flicked the ball to Vitinha, who made a staggering run from near his penalty area. The Portuguese drove into the Inter midfield before picking out Doué on the edge of the penalty area. The French youngster hit a powerful first-time shot into the bottom corner, potentially sealing the deal for PSG. What a night it was proving to be from the 19-year old, as he became the first player to score a brace in the Champions League final since Gareth Bale in 2018. 

GOAL: PSG 3-0 Inter (D.Doué 63')

Two minutes after Doué completed his brace, he would be withdrawn for Bradley Barcola, ending what surely the night of his life. However, despite leading by such a large margin, PSG weren't done just yet. Just 10 minutes after Doué second and PSG's third, Inter's defence would be torn apart once again when Dembélé thread the ball in for Kvaratskhelia to run in on goal, leaving him one-on-one with Sommer. The Georgian managed to dink the ball over Sommer, making it 4-0 while sending the PSG fans into a state of rapture and engraving PSG's name on the Champions League trophy for the very first time. 

GOAL: PSG 4-0 Inter (K.Kvaratskhelia 73')

Despite now being down 4-0, Inter still persevered and attempted to look for a consolation goal. They came close two minutes after Kvaratskhelia's strike, when Barella teed up with Thuram. The Frenchman got a shot underway, sending it goalwards; but, Donnarumma got a strong hand behind it, keeping Inter at bay. However, just moments later, PSG attacked again, with Barcola doing some fancy footwork to get past Francesco Acerbi. The Frenchman drove past the Italian defender, leaving him one-on-one with Sommer. Barcola opted to go low, but he only managed to hit the side netting, keeping it 4-0 to PSG. However, 4-0 would soon turn to 5-0 as five minutes later, when Barcola and Senny Maluyu played some fancy one-two passing, before the latter powered a shot to go, which hit the inside of the post before going in, putting the cherry on top of a five-star performance from PSG, inflicting the heaviest win in the Champions League final. 

GOAL: PSG 5-0 Inter (S.Mayulu 86')

Full Time: PSG 5-0 Inter 

Picture Above: Paris Saint Germain captain, Marquinhos, lifting the Champions League trophy for the first time in their history. 

Another season in the Champions League has come and gone just like that. Throughout the entire season, we've been treated to some sensational matches including incredible comebacks, enticing penalty shoot outs, nerve-wrecking drama, and now, a new name on the Champions League. For the first time since 1993, the European Cup will return to France as PSG become the first French side to win the competition since Marseille. The Champions Blog will return in September following the beginning of the new season, with new teams, new rivalries and some returns. Goodbye for now.