The curtain falls on European club football this Saturday as Inter Milan prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, with both sides eyeing continental glory for different reasons.
For PSG, this represents only their second-ever Champions League final appearance following their 2020 defeat to Bayern Munich. The French champions are aiming to become the 24th club to lift the prestigious trophy, potentially adding a new name to the winners' list for the second time in three seasons after Manchester City's triumph in 2023.
Inter Milan, meanwhile, are pursuing their fourth Champions League title, having last conquered Europe under Jose Mourinho in 2010. The Nerazzurri will be desperate to avoid lightning striking twice after losing the 2023 final to Manchester City.
Path to the Final
Both finalists have demonstrated exceptional quality throughout the competition. PSG's journey has been particularly remarkable, requiring playoffs to progress after failing to finish in the top eight during the initial phase.
Inter finished fourth in the league phase with an impressive record of six wins, one draw, and one loss. Their knockout stage campaign saw them eliminate Feyenoord (2-0 away, 2-1 home), Bayern Munich (2-1 away, 2-2 home), and Barcelona in a thrilling tie (3-3 away, 4-3 home after extra time).
"Inter Milan's campaign can be seen as successful," Ola Olukole, a Senior Technical Specialist and Inter Milan supporter, told DAILY POST. "It's been a mix of consistency and contentment in the way they play."
"They've won most of their games but not always with big margins, almost enough to get through. Their reliance on their defensive football has really paid off against the best of Europe," Olukole added.
Tactical Approach
Inter's success has been built on a solid defensive foundation under manager Simone Inzaghi's effective 3-5-2 system. However, their semifinal against Barcelona showcased their attacking capabilities, with the 7-6 aggregate scoreline representing the joint-highest scoring Champions League knockout tie.
"We've been solid from the first game against Red Star Belgrade with an emphatic 4-0 win," Olukole noted. "It's like we learnt a lot of lessons from getting to the finals the last time against Man City."
Last Chance for Silverware
For Inzaghi, whose future at the San Siro remains uncertain, Saturday's final represents the last opportunity to secure silverware this season. Inter have already lost the Coppa Italia to city rivals AC Milan and narrowly missed out on the Serie A title to Napoli on the final day of the season.
"Tomorrow is our last chance after losing the Copa Italia match to Milan. On the last day, we lost the Scudetto to Napoli," Olukole emphasized. "I think we deserve this silverware for all the efforts we put into this competition being consistent from group stages."
The Champions League final kicks off on Saturday, with both teams looking to cap off their European campaigns with the ultimate prize in club football.
