Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan face-off in the final showdown of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League at the Allianz Arena.
The final is expected to provide an intriguing tactical battle between both teams’ different styles of play.
Going by the trend, the omens look good for PSG to lift the trophy, as the previous four finals in Munich all provided a first-time winner.
Also, the Ligue 1 champions will be hoping to win the second final meeting between a French and Italian side. Olympique Marseille won the first meeting in the 1993 final against AC Milan, also at Munich.
Meanwhile, Simone Inzaghi’s Inter are competing in their second Champions League final in three years.
They lost the first to Manchester City in 2023, and will be looking to have their hands on the title this time.
However, with no historical analysis to the both teams, as this is the first time the two teams will clash in a competitive fixture, some key tactical themes and patterns are expected to ringroll the showdown.
Luis Enrique’s side are becoming one of Europe’s most aggressive pressing sides. Their pressing style has been particularly dominant this season, both in the Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
PSG’s tireless forwards, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, hold the key in thrilling clash of styles with Inter.
The challenge now is implementing that press against one of Europe’s best defensive side, built on roughly five defenders.
Inter’s defense has been incredible in the tournament this season, conceding just one open-play goal in their opening 10 games.
Clash of the full-backs and wing-backs
Both sides are known to pushing attacks also with their full-backs and wing-backs, who on several occasions, been match-winners.
Inter’s 3-5-2 is built on the attacking output of Federico Dimarco and Denzel Dumfries. The latter was involved in five of Inter’s six goals (two goals, three assists) in the semi-final over Barcelona.
Collectively, Inter have scored 10 times from crosses this Champions League season, the most in the competition.
PSG’s full-backs are also equally fundamental to their style. Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes often take up aggressive positions in the half-space in attack, as PSG’s 4-3-3 really builds up as a 3-2-5.
Both fullbacks provides plenty of runs to support and combine with their wingers, creating more attacking threats. They are second and fourth for goal involvements in the PSG squad this European term, and they either scored or assisted eight of their 19 knockout round goals.
Inter’s set-piece threat, a likely deciding factor
Inter are known for their set piece prowess and have had plenty of success from set-piece situations this season.
With 18 set-piece goals scored, Inzaghi’s side are comfortably the highest in Serie A, with majority from corners.
Meanwhile, goals from corner kicks have been crucial in Inter’s knockout phase clashes with Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
However, it is the survival of the fittest. One of Luis Enrique’s PSG or Simeone Inzaghi’s Inter will emerge victor, likely from the logic of tactics or sheer luck.
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