PSG vs Inter Milan
Munich is ready and the football world is watching as the 2025 Champions League Final approaches. The final installment of the campaign pits together Italy and France for what should be a compelling contest. That this will be the first ever meeting between Inter Milan and PSG adds to the intrigue for SBOTOP football fans.
Bayern Munich must have been hoping they would get the chance to contest the final in their own stadium, the Allianz Arena, just as they did (unsuccessfully) in 2012. Yet Inter saw off the German champions at the quarter-final stage before winning an epic semi-final against the newly-crowned Spanish champions.
Now, after narrowly missing out on defending their Italian title, can they be crowned European champions for the fourth time or should we anticipate a first-ever European Cup for the Parisiens?
Whatever the outcome, we should be in for some Champions League 2025 highlights on Saturday night.
Talking Points
Despite the disappointment of missing out on another Serie A success, the Nerazzurri appear to have grown in stature. They have also scored 114 goals in all competitions this season, surpassing their record of 113 set in 2019/20.
To defeat Bayern and then outlast Barcelona in a dramatic semi-final (that ended 7-6 on aggregate after extra time was impressive) and, under Simone Inzaghi, Inter’s defensive solidity, combined with newfound attacking aggression, has made them one of the most complete sides in Europe.
Their fortunes may well depend on the fitness of Lautaro Martínez, their top scorer and talisman. He was substituted with muscle tightness in the semi-final second leg but is expected to feature in a game in which they will hope influential midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu can dictate play from deep, supported by Nicolò Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
They will have learned and certainly appear better equipped from their experience two seasons ago when they were very much underdogs as they faced Manchester City in the final.
As for PSG, their only previous appearance in the final ended in a narrow defeat to Bayern Munich in 2020 during the COVID-impacted campaign held behind closed doors. That was in the middle of their “Galacticos” era when Neymar and Kylian Mbappe were in tandem and Lionel Messi was still a year away from arriving.
Since then, the Argentine captain has left to join Inter Miami, while Neymar was sold to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. Unlike Mbappe, who departed last summer, the South American duo has not really been missed.
In their absence, Luis Enrique has built an all-action, high-pressing side in his image, based on the collective rather than the individual. In Europe this season, PSG started poorly and finished the group stage in 15th place.
But, inspired by January signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, PSG have beaten four English clubs – Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal – in the tournament.
They will rely heavily on the creativity and pace of the Georgian winger, along with Ousmane Dembélé who has returned from a hamstring scare and is expected to start in Munich.
A Champions League winner as Barcelona coach in 2015, the Spaniard is only the 10th manager to reach the European Cup final with different clubs. Only six have won the trophy with multiple teams: Ernst Happel (Feyenoord 1970, Hamburg 1983), Ottmar Hitzfeld (Borussia Dortmund 1997, Bayern 2001), José Mourinho (Porto 2004, Inter 2010), Jupp Heynckes (Real Madrid 1998, Bayern 2013), Carlo Ancelotti (AC Milan 2003, 2007; Real Madrid 2014, 2022, 2024), and Pep Guardiola (Barcelona 2009, 2011; City 2023).
Enrique’s side finished 19 points clear at the top of Ligue 1, winning 26 of their 34 games and they should be fresher than Inter.
But will they have the sharpness of the Italians who have always had something to play for and kept alive their Serie A title hopes until the final fixtures on Friday when they were pipped by a solitary point by Napoli.
Despite heavy investment over the last decade and domestic dominance, European success has remained elusive for the French club. Inter will want to keep it that way.
History
As mentioned, this will be the first ever meeting between the two clubs.
Betting Tip
Our Champions League 2025 betting odds show the Parisiens are favourites to break their duck and finally claim a maiden European crown. I think they have the edge too so can see why they are priced 1X2 @ 2.23 and Asian Handicap -0.50, also @ 2.23.
Inter are even more attractive with 1X2 @ 2.99, Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 1.99 and 0.00 @ 2.53. The draw is on offer @ 3.13, while goal options range from Total Goal 0-1 @ 3.12 to 2-3 @ 1.99, 4-6 @ 3.38 and Over 2.75 @ 2.20.
I think there will be goals, and I think PSG have the all-round talent advantage, but I am opting for the Italians to edge this.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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