The pinnacle of European club football finally arrived in the form of a spectacular showdown between PSG and Inter Milan in the much-anticipated UEFA Champions League final. London’s iconic Wembley Stadium provided the perfect stage for the clash of two contrasting footballing philosophies from Europe’s two elite leagues. On the one hand, the tactical pragmatism of Italy, renowned for its defensive discipline, and on the other, the offensive approach of France, which relies on creativity and pace. Thousands of fans from both clubs combined with tens of thousands of neutrals, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere that confirmed the match’s status as the pinnacle of global club football.
Introduction
Both teams’ journeys to Wembley have been filled with unforgettable moments and incredible achievements. Inter Milan, under the astute leadership of Simone Inzaghi, have shown an impressive resurgence in Europe’s elite competition. After years of struggling to find an identity on the international stage, the Nerazzurri have found the perfect balance between Italian defensive traditions and a more progressive modern style of football.
Their group stage was a tough one, being drawn alongside Barcelona, RB Leipzig and Club Brugge. However, Inter showed character to finish second behind Barcelona. The last 16 saw them face Porto, where their tactical pragmatism stifled the Portuguese side’s creativity to win 3-1 on aggregate. The quarter-final clash with Barcelona was a testament to Inzaghi’s impressive tactical nous, avenging their group-stage defeat with a 4-3 aggregate victory over two games of high drama and intensity.
The semi-final against Bayern Munich was their toughest test yet. Having lost the first leg 2-1 at the Allianz Arena, Inter showed mental toughness and tactical superiority to beat the German giants 3-1 at San Siro, securing their place in the final 4-3 on aggregate.
Meanwhile, PSG’s journey under Luis Enrique represents a fundamental transformation in the Parisian club’s approach to the Champions League. After years of relying on individual talent and heavy investment in star players, Enrique has built a system that emphasizes the collective and a solid tactical structure. PSG started the group stage in style, winning all six of their games against Manchester United, AC Milan and Red Bull Salzburg.
In the last 16, they faced Arsenal in a clash that was widely seen as a tactical battle between Enrique and Mikel Arteta. PSG secured their place in the quarter-finals with a convincing 5-2 aggregate victory. The quarter-finals provided a new version of El Clásico as PSG met Real Madrid. In a match marred by refereeing controversy and moments of brilliance, PSG eventually won 4-3 on aggregate, with Kylian Mbappé scoring a hat-trick in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The semi-final against Manchester City was a meeting of two modern football projects backed by huge financial power. In a tactical battle between Enrique and Guardiola, PSG showed surprising tactical maturity. After drawing 1-1 at the Etihad, they won 2-0 at the Parc des Princes with a solid and efficient display rarely seen from the Parisian club at this level before.
The final at Wembley not only pitted two clubs with different histories and aspirations, but also two coaches with footballing philosophies that had evolved. Inzaghi, once considered a conservative coach, has developed a more balanced approach at Inter. Enrique, renowned for the offensive football he developed at Barcelona, has added a pragmatic dimension to a PSG side that had previously focused too much on attack.
Team Preparation
In the run-up to the final, both sides have undergone intensive preparations that reflect the importance of the occasion. Inter held a closed training camp on the outskirts of London for the last three days before the final, focusing on physical fitness and refining tactical details. Inzaghi is said to have spent hours analyzing PSG’s weaknesses from footage of their previous matches.
Inter’s squad is in optimal condition with only one player missing through injury – reserve right-back Matteo Darmian. The 3-5-2 formation that has been their identity all season is sure to be maintained. The defensive trio of Bastoni-Acerbi-Pavard has provided a solid foundation, while the midfield of Barella, Calhanoglu and Mkhitaryan provides the perfect balance between creativity and physicality. Up front, captain Lautaro Martinez, who has scored eight goals in the Champions League this season, will be paired with Marcus Thuram, whose mobility and physicality have often caused problems for opposing defenses.
PSG have opted for a different approach by holding a training session partially open to the media, showing their confidence. Speculation about formation and line-ups continues to grow, with rumours that Enrique is considering changing the system from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 to accommodate their attacking prowess while strengthening the midfield against Inter’s strong midfield trio.
Mbappé, who is set to play in his last major game for PSG before joining Real Madrid next season, is the focal point of their offensive strategy. Dembélé and Asensio are expected to complete the front three, with Vitinha and Zaïre-Emery playing the rhythm in midfield. The defence is led by captain Marquinhos who will partner Milan Škriniar – a former Inter defender who adds a layer of intrigue to the game.
The pre-match press conference was marked by mutual respect from both coaches, although tensions were palpable. Inzaghi stressed the importance of his team’s mentality and experience, while Enrique highlighted PSG’s evolution into a more balanced side. “We no longer depend on individuals,” he said, “we have become a unified team with a strong collective identity.”
Leading football pundits have made mixed predictions, with many tipping the match to be a closely-fought affair. Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has called the final “the most tactically exciting encounter” in recent years, while José Mourinho has predicted “a game that will be decided by small details and individual moments of brilliance.”
Course of the Match
As the famous German referee Felix Brych blew the opening whistle under the London dusk, the atmosphere at Wembley reached a level almost unmatched in the stadium’s recent history. The chants from both sets of supporters provided a stunning soundtrack to the footballing drama that was about to unfold.
PSG, as expected, took the early initiative with dominant possession. Their midfield trio – Vitinha, Zaïre-Emery, and Ruiz – showed superb technical ability to navigate Inter’s pressing. Mbappe made several attempts to penetrate down the left, testing Pavard’s defensive prowess.
Inter, unhurried and disciplined in their formation, focused on quick transitions when winning the ball back. The first chance came in the 12th minute when a swift counter-attack saw Barella meet Thuram, whose shot from a tight angle was blocked by Donnarumma.
PSG responded five minutes later through a brilliant individual effort from Dembélé who skipped past two Inter players before unleashing a powerful shot that forced a spectacular save from Onana. The intensity of the game continued to rise with both teams creating dangerous chances.
The first crucial moment came in the 33rd minute. After PSG’s defence failed to deal with Dimarco’s cross, the ball fell to Calhanoglu outside the box. The Turkish midfielder unleashed a powerful shot that hit the post and bounced into the net, giving Inter a 1-0 lead. The jubilation of the Inter fans contrasted with the visible disappointment of the PSG camp.
Luis Enrique immediately reacted by intensifying his instructions from the sidelines, encouraging his team to increase the tempo of the game. PSG almost equalised in the 39th minute when Asensio’s 25-yard free-kick hit the Inter crossbar.
PSG’s pressure finally paid off just before the break. A quick one-two between Mbappé and Vitinha opened up space on the left side of the Inter defence. Vitinha’s precise through ball found Mbappé who calmly rounded Onana to level the score at 1-1. The scoreline at half-time reflected the balance of the match.
The second half began with Inzaghi making his first tactical change, bringing on Davide Frattesi for Mkhitaryan, looking for new energy in midfield. Enrique responded by replacing Asensio with Lee Kang-in, bringing a different dimension of creativity to PSG’s attack.
The intensity of the game increased with both teams looking for an advantage. Inter began to dominate the midfield thanks to Frattesi’s energy, while PSG relied on quick attacks down the wings. Inter’s golden opportunity came in the 58th minute when Calhanoglu’s free-kick from 20 metres hit the crossbar, leaving Donnarumma rooted to the spot.
PSG took the momentum after this failed Inter attack. In the 67th minute, Lee Kang-in produced a moment of brilliance with a through ball that split the Inter defence. Mbappé, with his incredible pace, met the pass and unleashed a powerful shot that Onana could not reach, putting PSG 2-1 up.
Inter did not give up and increased the intensity of their attacks. Inzaghi made offensive changes by bringing on Alexis Sánchez and Marko Arnautović, looking to add more firepower. PSG responded by strengthening their defence, bringing on Danilo Pereira for Ruiz.
Drama struck in the 79th minute when Inter were awarded a penalty after VAR detected a handball by Hakimi in the box. Martinez, the Inter captain, stepped up to take the spot-kick under immense pressure. But Donnarumma showed why he is considered one of the world’s best goalkeepers, guessing the direction of the shot correctly and making a crucial save.
The penalty miss appeared to have affected Inter’s mentality, while PSG grew in confidence. The Parisians almost extended their lead in the 85th minute with a swift counter-attack that resulted in Dembélé hitting the post.
Five minutes of added time were added, setting up a final, intense drama. Inter laid waste to the PSG defence, and in the 93rd minute, they almost equalised when Bastoni’s header from a corner was tipped onto the crossbar by Donnarumma with his fingertips – a save that has since been called one of the greatest in Champions League final history.
When the final whistle blew, the PSG players erupted in jubilation while the Inter squad fell to the ground in disappointment. The final score of 2-1 for PSG confirmed the first Champions League title in the history of the French club.
Key Players
Several players produced decisive performances in a historic final. For PSG, Kylian Mbappé sealed the perfect farewell to the club with a man-of-the-match performance. His two goals showed his class as one of the finest strikers of his generation, while his defensive workrate reflected his development under Enrique.
Gianluigi Donnarumma emerged as the hero with a crucial penalty save and several other key interventions. Vitinha led the PSG midfield with precision passing and tireless work, while Marquinhos showed impressive defensive leadership.
For Inter, despite the defeat, several players deserved plaudits. Nicolò Barella was outstanding in midfield, combining creativity with defensive hard work. Hakan Çalhanoğlu showed his technical quality with a spectacular goal and some dangerous passes. At the back, Alessandro Bastoni confirmed his status as one of Europe’s best defenders with a solid defensive performance against PSG’s dangerous front three.
Statistics
Match data analysis reveals interesting dynamics from this final. PSG dominated possession with 59% to 41%, and had more shots (17 to 12). However, in terms of shots on target, both were equal with 6 attempts.
PSG showed better efficiency with a chance conversion rate of 11.8% compared to Inter’s 8.3%. The data shows the intensity of the match with a total of 37 fouls (19 for Inter, 18 for PSG) and 7 yellow cards.
Inter made 26 successful tackles and 15 interceptions, while PSG were superior in aerial duels (21 to 17) and passing accuracy (89% to 84%). Individual data shows Barella covered the highest distance (13.1 kilometers), while Mbappé created 5 chances and completed 7 of 10 dribbles.
Hot zone analysis shows how Inter were dominant in the middle of the pitch, while PSG were more effective in the final third. The possession map illustrates how the Parisians were able to press high and force Inter to play deeper than they wanted.
Conclusion
The 2025 Champions League final will be remembered as a defining moment in the history of modern European football. For PSG, the win marked the culmination of an ambitious project that began more than a decade ago. After the disappointment of the 2020 final and a series of painful setbacks in the latter stages, the trophy represented validation of their new approach that emphasises team balance over individual stardom.
Luis Enrique deserves credit for fundamentally transforming PSG from a team often seen as a collection of stars into a cohesive unit with a clear tactical identity. The win also served as a testament to the evolution of French club football that has continued to grow over the past decade.
For Inter, while the defeat was painful, their achievement in reaching the final was impressive. Inzaghi has restored the Italian club to the pinnacle of European football after years of uncertainty. Their performances throughout the tournament, beating some of the elite clubs, showed that Serie A is still capable of producing competitive teams on the highest stage.
The final also underlined a shift in the landscape of European football. The traditional dominance of Spanish and English clubs is now being challenged by other forces. PSG’s success reflected the diversification of European football’s power, providing inspiration for clubs from historically less dominant leagues.
As captain Marquinhos lifted the “Big Ears” trophy amidst a shower of confetti, the emotional celebrations of PSG’s players and staff reflected the significance of the moment. For Luis Enrique, it was validation of the coaching philosophy he has developed over the years. For Mbappé, it was the perfect end to his PSG career before opening a new chapter.
Wembley 2025 will always be remembered as the night when PSG finally reached the pinnacle of European club football, etching their names in history alongside the legendary clubs who have lifted the most prestigious trophy. Inter Milan, meanwhile, despite their disappointment, can go home with their heads held high, knowing they had made a key contribution to one of the most captivating Champions League finals in recent memory.