PSG – Inter 31-05-25

Football's big day. The well-known anthem will fill living rooms and pubs around the world one last time for the season. With pomp and show, the two teams will be presented. And there you stand, clammy hands, disheveled hair, fixed gaze, hopefully ready for what could easily be the biggest football match of your career. At club level, it doesn't get any bigger than this. Europe's, and then probably also the world's, best club team will be crowned, and owning a winner's medal from the Champions League is a privilege that few are blessed with. The preparations have been tough, the expectations are gigantic, and the desire to remain as winners is all-consuming. For some, it will be this one final. A final where the whole world is watching, everything is about you and your teammates, and the fact that you can write yourself into the history books forever and ever. You look to your right, you look to your left. Concentrated war buddies, gripped by the seriousness of the moment, but with focused gazes. You breathe an extra time. Your gaze flickers. You look around. The stadium is packed. Around you there is a violent spectacle of sounds and impressions. The stands are roaring, the music fills your body with excitement, and your clammy hands have now managed to get soaked. The shoes feel a little too tight, but it's okay. You are ready for this. Your body is filled with a kind of calm, and you notice that this is what you have always dreamed of. You are placed on the world's biggest football stage, the floodlights are on, and you are ready to run your socks off. Your body becomes calmer, and your gaze is fixed. Now the referee can just blow the whistle.

 

This year's final will take place on May 31 at the Allianz Arena in Munich. On the way there, PSG steadily building momentum. From a shaky start, where the journey seemed to be short-lived, to knocking out half of England in quick succession. The French seemed to be on the wrong side of the fence initially, and it was a hair's breadth that they were awarded a play-off match against Manchester City. They won it, and they haven't looked back since. Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal. Everyone got a taste of the qualities of this revitalized team. Without star players and a hip mount in the center circle, PSG has become an ever-smaller monster. They are registering for their second final on Saturday, and the hope of the team's first Champions League trophy is alive again.

 

Inter are a more experienced Champions League team than their rivals on Saturday. Three trophies, three-time losing finalists. The last final came as late as 2023, when Rodri and Manchester City were too strong. On the way to Germany and the final this year, Inter have looked surprisingly lively and offensive. The semi-finals against Barcelona were of a special kind, where the two heavyweights took turns trying to inflict the decisive knock-out blow on their rival. In the end, we were left with two exhausted teams, and with a 7-6 victory for Inter. Somewhat unbelievable figures. Inter's last victory in the Champions League came in 2010, when Bayern were defeated. The Italians have the necessary experience that often comes into play towards the final.

 

PSG – From a star-studded club to a football team

 

Because there they stood, Neymar, Messi and Mbappe. Well planted in the wrong half of the field as their own team worked their asses off in defense. But not these three. No, that wasn't what was in the job description. Here they were supposed to make tunnels, pull off some cheeky feints, and of course, be the last to have the ball as it rolled over the goal line. Three men, the same job. Then it becomes difficult for the rest of the guys, when you are basically seven outfield players. Some friction arose, and eventually time ran out for both Neymar and Messi. They tried to build an attack around Mbappe, turned down some silly bags of money from Madrid, and hoped that they would finally assert themselves among the big names in Europe. But no, the slow-footed Frenchman cast too big a shadow. The man was a mess in everything, and in some games it could seem as if it was Mbappe who was most important, not the team itself. The transfer to Real Madrid finally became a reality, and PSG were ready to build a new team. It took whatever time it took.

 

But then something happened. They had a lot of quality players. They just hadn't been allowed to shine because of these sometimes self-centered stars. Now they were given the ball, showed what they could do, and last but not least, they went in the same direction. All of them. Together. The result was a quickly won league title, which is in itself the norm in France, but they began to show their muscles against other great powers in European football as well. The lanky man from Georgia, with the simple name, Khvitsja Kvaratskhelia, quickly took over the left wing, and literally terrorized full-backs around the continent. With his low socks, tiny shin pads, and bohemian appearance, he gave PSG a new dimension. This man couldn't be given too much space. Together with Barcola, Doue, and Dembele, the Parisians' attack has been reborn. The only challenge for Luis Enrique is which of these will have to start on the bench. A real luxury problem.

 

In the middle you can find possibly the world's best midfield trio at the moment of writing. Neves, Ruiz and Vitinha are the total package of power, finesse and running power. Penetrating this trio here is downright difficult. They fit together well, and individually they are pure quality. Because of this, the guys shine at the top competing with the sun during the day. The back team is not much worse. Are Mendes and Hakimi the world's best back duo in 2025? I think so. What speed, and what power. Mendes showed the world his true quality when he stopped Mohamed Salah on the way to the final. Salah, at this point in pole position for the Golden Ball, was completely neutralized. Donnarumma in the cage has a bit of a team in front of him. If someone comes through against expectations, it helps to have a man who covers half the cage on the sock as his last bastion. The Italian is among the very best in his profession.

 

The total gives a fiercely skilled football team. From being on the verge of exiting the tournament almost before it started, they are now pretty clear odds favorites in the final. If you meet PSG this season, you just have to prepare to concede goals. Because here, goals are scored over a low shoe! In the calendar year 2025, they have left the field goalless only once, and that was in the round of 16 at home against Liverpool. The English won 1-0 after a late goal, and PSG was in difficulty. How this match ended in a loss, and without goals for the home team, no one can probably answer. Alisson in the away goal stood like a living wall. But the fact is that there are extreme amounts of finishing, transitions, backroom runs and goals in this team. You end up with two, three and four far more often than zero and one. Inter should be warned.

 

Up until the final, PSG dominated Arsenal, held off a hard-fought Aston Villa and knocked out Liverpool on penalties. All of these great British teams have solid seasons on their conscience, but were too small for Enrique's men. All credit to the Spaniard for having managed to transform these guys into such a solid team. When you sit down to watch the final, you can pay a little extra attention to how Mendes and Hakimi use the corridors up their sides. They are literally wings, and give the attacking players both overlapping opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pull into the field. Kvaratskhelia is absolutely exceptional at this. He uses the back for all it's worth, pulls inside, and fires towards the far corner. With that precision, an inch can be a meter too much.

 

Inter – The league title slipped away in the last round, but now it matters!

 

It was a bit of a conclusion to the league season for Inter. Napoli were about to hand Inter the league title, but Inter were not up to the task, and thus failed to defend their title from last year.

 

Inter have had a great season. As mentioned, they barely made it on home soil, but in Europe they have played all the way to the grand final. However, they have done it in a slightly atypical way. Inter are usually tight, they win on defensive structure and short distances, and in classic Italian fashion they wait their opponent out before delivering the fatal blow. This year, however, things have gone wild! Feyenoord waited in the round of 16, and were easily taken care of. Inter went on with a controlled 4-1 win.

 

In the quarter-finals and semi-finals, everything caught fire. Inter faced tough opposition in the quarter-finals against Bayern, and after two evenly played matches, they were left with a smile on their faces. The Germans were beaten 4-3 on aggregate. As mentioned at the beginning, Barcelona was waiting with all its technicians in the semi-finals, and here we also got the match of the tournament. 7-6 on aggregate, after saving the whole party in overtime in the last match. Raphinha had given the Spaniards the advantage three minutes before full time, but three minutes into extra time an unlikely hero in Acerbi appeared. Extra time and the tent was on fire. Frattesi sends the Italians to heaven in the first extra time, and Inter rides the pressure off. Quite a few matches, and as mentioned, not the way we are used to seeing Inter.

 

One thing that may still be the same is how comfortable the Italians are without the ball. They are consistently inferior in possession, and are fine with it. That Italian teams, and perhaps Inter in particular, play like this should come as no surprise. What is somewhat surprising, however, is all the chances and goals that have been produced over the last few matches. Part of the reason may be the offensively strong wing-backs in the team, and perhaps especially Dumfries at right-back. What a season the Dutchman has had! His contribution, both in terms of goals and assists, has given this Inter team a whole new dimension. There is no doubt that the team's offensive pieces, Thuram and Martinez, benefit from his constant threat down the right corridor. Really something PSG must watch on Saturday night.

 

Inter are fielding a strong team in the final in Munich. A good mix of speed, technique, and Italian smartness. An ever-so-small new spring for Yann Sommer also makes this team not easy to catch up with. PSG will have to be at their best if Inzaghi's men are to be denied triumph in this weekend's final.

 

Conclusion – Unrivaled attacking football meets Italian cynicism

 

Yes, because that's how it's been for a while. Italy has had this stamp on them for generations. Cynical, tactical, somewhat boring and often triumphant. But, haven't we seen that this has turned around a bit in recent years? Napoli has entertained us, Atalanta has shown their best football, and this edition of Inter also seems to be able to offer a dance if the opportunity arises. And the opportunity arises now on Saturday.

 

The starting point is still that Inter can live without the ball. PSG, on the other hand, want the ball. The French know that if they are to win this, they must maintain their own identity, and that means putting pressure on the Italians. That has been the strength both at home in France and abroad in Europe throughout the spring, a constant pressure, waves upon waves of great combination play, and dribbling-happy wings that challenge the back-breaking defense. If PSG is to lift the trophy in the end, they must hold on to this very thing, because here they are about the best in the class. The attacking trio creates chaos at one point or another no matter how they defend, and we believe that the grand final will be no exception. Here, you have to get the Italians' brains boiling under the top lid.

 

We have seen it time and time again throughout history. The final is a letdown. You are afraid of losing, you are afraid of exposing yourself, and you are reluctant to really take the chances that come your way. A classic approach that leads to ball dribbling in the middle, and a rather boring session that eventually ends in a penalty shootout. This could of course happen again on Saturday. What we feel speaks against is the fact that this does not benefit PSG. We keep the blue and burgundy red as narrow favorites, and expect them to want to decide this in regular time. Then you have to make the transitions, and then you have to play to the team's strengths. Dembele, Doue, Kvaratskhelia and Barcola are all deadly if they have the day, and with the contributions from Hakimi and Mendes down the stretch, it seems as if this is PSG's great opportunity to go all the way to the top. Don't be uncritical and empty yourself forward, but don't let Inter dictate the pace either.

 

Another aspect of the final is the quarter- and semi-finals of the final away team. Inter showed a new and exciting side of themselves, going blow for blow against Barcelona. Considering what lives in the Spanish great team, it is an achievement in itself to take the match on these premises, and actually come out victorious. These goals do their part to give us more faith in an entertaining and fast-paced final, where we have two players who can both offer attacking football of the highest quality.

 

We have been talking about PSG's goal average this season. Almost without exception, the team leaves the pitch after scoring somewhere between two and six goals. The football they play creates joy and engagement, and as we saw in the games against Liverpool and Arsenal, it is almost impossible to resist. This high goal average, and the high estimate of expected goals, are the very backbone of Enrique's team. We both hope and believe that we will get the same entrance to the final, even though now everything is at stake. Inter will probably have to accept the French for what they are, and give an answer to the accusation. That would mean goals both ways. Yes, it doesn't always happen in finals, but after seeing Inter's seven goals against Barcelona we know that they can. We won't be at all surprised if Dumfries again becomes decisive.

 

Goals can generate more goals. A 1-1 result is probably not desired by the odds favorites from France, and it could again lead to a chase for victory before the allotted 90 minutes are up. Over 2.5 goals gives a good odds. It also gives over 1.5 goals to PSG. As I said, we keep the blue and reds as favorites, and then it is not inconceivable that this is precisely where we get at least two online recognitions.

 

The final can, and probably will, be close and tough. Inter have shown that they can challenge anyone, and the Parisians have shown off their formidable attacking arsenal. If we continue to play with the premise that PSG must play to their strengths to finally be crowned the world's best club team, we will get a lot of finishing. It is also not inconceivable that the last quarter will be hectic, as we have seen Inter experience time and time again in this year's tournament. Hectic final minutes generate corner kicks. The finishing is loose, and it is blocked with life as an effort. We are attaching a recommendation here as well. So far in the tournament, PSG's matches have contained a corner average of 9.6. We believe in a fast-paced final, and therefore find the average relevant.

 

Who will score the goals on Saturday? It is not inconceivable that Dembele and Martinez will get opportunities for their respective teams. Dembele is at 2.70 in odds, while you get 3.50 if the delicate Martinez gets the ball over the line. Perhaps mostly entertainment bets, but in these big matches that is also part of the joy. Enjoy the final, there are two worthy duelists who meet under the floodlights at the Allianz Arena, and cross your fingers that you are not taken by the seriousness of the moment. The sweaty palms we mentioned at the beginning are probably unavoidable, but it can also be a sign that you are sharpened. That you really want this, and that the ignition is exactly where it should be. As a football enthusiast, this year's edition of PSG is one of the most beautiful to watch, and let's hope that you dare to show the world what you are actually capable of. If you dare, it could end up with a whole new type of trophy in the cupboards in Paris. Enjoy the match!

 

Europe at 21:00: Paris Saint Germain – Inter: Both teams to score (1.75)

 

Alternative game

Europe at 21:00: Paris Saint Germain – Inter: Over 2.5 goals (1.90)

Europe at 21:00: Paris Saint Germain – Inter: Over 1.5 goals for PSG (2.10)

Europe at 21:00: Paris Saint Germain - Inter: Dembele scores (2.70)

Europe at 21:00: Paris Saint Germain – Inter: Over 9.5 corners (1.75)

Europe at 21:00: Paris Saint Germain – Inter: Inter most card points (1.95)