Saturday, May 31, 2025

Match Preview : PSG vs Inter Milan(UEFA Champions League Final)

Written by Paul Michael Ezeoha 


The final for the most prestigious European competition in club football is set to hold this night. Two teams who have featured once apiece in this final in the past 6 years -Paris Saint Germain and Internazionale Milan- will be the teams to vie for this highly prized trophy. 



For the French champions, PSG, this would mark a second UEFA Champions League final in the club's history, and also an opportunity to win the trophy for the first time. 


Inter Milan, on the other hand, would be aiming to add a fourth UEFA Champions League title to their cabinet, having won three already in 1964,1965 and 2010.





MATCH VENUE

Allianz Arena is the host stadium for the 2024/2025 UEFA Champions League final. This stadium is located at the heart of Munich, a metropolitan in Bavaria, Germany. It is home to renowned German club, Bayern Munich, and has been their home since 2005. It is named after one of the world's financial service giants - Allianz- and has answered the name since the stadium was officially opened in 2005. 

The Exterior view of Allianz Arena 



Interior view of Allianz Arena



Munich during the day 


   Munich at night 




Both clubs have had trips to the Allianz Arena in four occasions each in the UEFA Champions League before. 


The Nerazzurri have experienced more joy from these trips to this stadium. Out of the four matches they played there, they secured 2 wins (1-2 ,which occurred recently on the 14th of April 2025, and 2-3 victory on the 15th of March 2011), 1 draw (1-1 score line on December 5, 2006) and 1 lost (2-0, which happened on the 1st day of November 2022). 


Le Parisien, on the other hand, do not have good experience in the Allianz Arena. From these four fixtures in this stadium, they only have 1 win (2-3 in April 2021) and 3 losses(3-2, 2-0 and 2-1, which took place in December 2017, March 2022 and November 2024, respectively). 



PERFORMANCE IN THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 

To begin with, Inter Milan have had good performance in this competition so far. The Nerazzurri played 14 matches in total prior to this final : 6 in the knockout stage and 8 in the league phase, out of which they won ten times (4-3 against Barcelona, 1-2 against Bayern Munich, 0-2 and 2-1 against Feyenoord, 4-0 against Crvena Zvezda, 0-1 against Young Boys, 1-0 against Arsenal, 1-0 against Leipzig, 0-1 against Sparta Praha, and 3-0 against AS Monaco) , drew thrice(3-3, 2-2 and 0-0, against Barcelona in the semifinal, Bayern Munich in the quarter final and Man City in the league phase, respectively)  and lost only once (0-1 against Leverkusen in the league phase) .They scored a total of 27 goals in this competition so far this season, while recording an average expected goal ratio of 1.70 per game. Although they rank above average in terms of goals scored, they fall below average in terms of ball possession - which is understandable for a club like Inter Milan, whose footballing philosophy has always favored defensive rigidity and swift transitioning. Defensively, Milan have been somewhat outstanding, conceding only 11 times and boasting an impressive 8 clean sheets - the highest in the competition so far, while frustratingly limiting their opponents to an average expected goal ratio of 1.24 per game. 


   
Paris Saint Germain have also been in good form in this season's Champions League campaign. They are, arguably, one of the best attacking sides in the competition so far, with an average expected goal ratio of 2.07 per game, which goes a little above that recorded by the opponents they faced in those games: 1.13.  Additionally, they scored an impressive 33 goals this season, while coinciding 15.  In terms of ball possession, PSG boast a whopping 61.9% on average per game, thus solidifying their stand as one of the most decorated sides in the competition this season. 



PLAYERS TO LOOK OUT FOR 


PSG  
 
Les Parisien have various talented players at their disposal. 


Here are some of these players who have been pivotal for them so far in this season. 



1) Ousmane Dembele





The French Forwarder has been, disputably, PSG's best player this season, having scored the most goals for them this season - 29- in all competitions. 


In the Champions League, he still remains their highest goal scorer, with 8 goals. He also has 4 assists to his name in this competition. 


Dembele has proven to be an improved version of himself. Naturally a winger, he has featured in several roles this season for PSG, where he played with top quality. He has been deployed as a striker, winger, and even in-field forwarder, this season. 


His versatility alongside his competency with both foots and pace would be of great relevance for PSG at the attacking end in this tie.  





2) Khvicha Kvaratskhelia 





The Georgian International is another top player for Paris Saint Germain. So far in the Champions League, he has 2 goals and 2 assists from 8 appearances. 

A versatile and technical winger, he is most notably for his shooting ability especially from long range. 




3) Desire Douie 




The young French forward is another player to look out for in this game. He is versatile, fast, strong player who has eyes for goals. After making 15 appearances in the Champions League so far, he has registered 4 goals and 3 assists. 





4) Bradley Barcola 





Bradley Barcola is a pacy and skillful forwarder. Traditionally a winger, he can also be deployed as a false 9.

He currently has 3 goals and 3 assists from 16 appearances so far in the Champions League. 







INTER MILAN 


The Nerazzurri is a team of really experienced personalities.  


Here are some of their key players: 


1) Lautaro Martinez 




El Toro has been in hot form for Inter this season. He is currently Inter Milan's highest goal scorer with 22 goals from all competitions. As of now, Inter's captain has registered 9 goals in 13 appearances during this seasons Champions League campaign. 


He a prolific striker whose playmaking ability sets him aside from most strikers. 




2) Marcus Thuram








The huge French striker is Inter's second highest goal scorer, having found the back of the net 14 times this season. In the Champions League, has registered 3 goals so far this season. Him and his striking partner, Lautaro Martinez, have been a good blend upfront for Inter Milan, working side-by-side to cause danger for their opponents. 
 





3) Nicolo Berella




Berella is tagged the power horse of Inter's midfield due to his tremendous energy and work ethic. The young Italian international has been influential for the Nerazzurri this season. He has 2 assists so far in the Champions League. 




4) Henrikh Mkhitaryan 



The Almeriense has a wealth of experience playing as a midfielder. He is one of Inter's key players in the midfield, thanks to his ball playing ability and mobility. He helps his team retain possession and control the game adequately. 

Mkhitaryan only has an assist from 7 matches in the UEFA Champions League this season. 



5) Hakan Calhanoglu 



Another important figure for Inter Milan in the midfield, Hakan is a technically gifted player whose versatility allows him to play deeper in the holding midfield position or take on attacking role as a midfielder. Calhanoglu is one of those midfielders who isn't afraid of trying out his shooting ability, and he does that often in games. He is also a notable set piece taker.  


Calhanoglu currently has 2 goals from 6 appearances in the Champions League in the 2024/2025 season. 



      








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