The upcoming Champions League final on Saturday promises a clash rich in individual talent. Paris Saint-Germain have emerged as a somewhat surprising favorite among many, largely due to a mix of lesser-known talents and widely celebrated stars who have formed a more cohesive and effective unit than past iterations of the team.
Inter Milan, meanwhile, have consistently demonstrated their quality, reaching the final twice in the last three seasons. In 2022, they narrowly missed out, conceding only one goal to Manchester City in the decisive match. This time, they aim to go one step further. Their squad boasts significant talent across all positions, proven by their ability to win close contests against formidable opponents like Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
With the stage set at the Allianz Arena, here are five players who possess the potential to be truly decisive:
1. Ousmane Dembele, PSG
Widely considered one of the three or four best players this season, Ousmane Dembele has been the standout performer epitomizing PSG`s remarkable campaign. It`s not that he lacked elite talent when playing alongside stars like Kylian Mbappe or, previously at Barcelona, Lionel Messi. While injuries played a part, perhaps Dembele`s role was often limited to that of a supporting act. Now, he faces no such constraints. Dembele has earned both a central role in Luis Enrique`s tactical plans and a guaranteed spot in the starting eleven.
Since transitioning to a central forward role in January, the 28-year-old has been unstoppable. In 19 appearances leading the line for PSG since the start of the year, Dembele has registered 18 goals and four assists. His statistics are phenomenal, averaging 5.15 shots and 0.98 non-penalty expected goals per 90 minutes. While these numbers are naturally boosted by his Ligue 1 performances, his impact on the biggest stages is equally significant.
A slow start in the group phase meant PSG effectively entered knockout mode from December. With the stakes at their highest, Dembele has delivered. He turned the tide against Manchester City, scored a crucial equalizer just as Liverpool seemed to gain control in the Round of 16, and silenced the Emirates Stadium crowd. In PSG`s 10 most important games this season – their last 10 in the Champions League – Dembele contributed eight goals and three assists. Without their number 10 stepping up from a talented but inconsistent player to a genuine match-winner on the grandest stage, it`s hard to imagine PSG reaching their second final.
When they take to the field at the Allianz Arena, there will be no doubt about who the best player on the pitch is, the one around whom every other player must adjust. Dembele, so often a supporting character, is the headline name of this Champions League final.
2. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, PSG
If anyone could challenge Dembele for that title, it might be the player starting to his left. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is a one-man defense breaker, the type who can drive defenders to such frustration that they start fouling him not out of tactical sense or to slow momentum, but simply to stop the player who has been tormenting them for the past 20 minutes.
That was essentially the experience Jurrien Timber had in the first leg of the semifinal. The Arsenal right-back had been recognized as one of Europe`s premier one-on-one defenders this season, having effectively neutralized Bradley Barcola when PSG visited the Emirates in the group stage. For the initial 20 minutes against Kvaratskhelia, his primary tactic seemed to be repeatedly fouling him. However, considering what Kvaratskhelia did to Aston Villa when they failed to press him closely, `hack-a-Khvicha` might actually be a valid strategy.
It’s worth noting that Kvaratskhelia, despite his dazzling attacking flair, is remarkably disciplined. He`s a diligent worker perfectly prepared to track Denzel Dumfries up and down PSG`s left flank. But that diligent tracking isn`t what will capture attention. There`s a reason he was nicknamed Kvaradona upon arriving from relative obscurity in Batumi to spearhead Napoli`s first Serie A title in 33 years.
There`s magic in the Georgian`s feet. If this final is going to produce a moment of individual brilliance like Gareth Bale`s bicycle kick or Zinedine Zidane`s volley, Kvaratskhelia is the most likely candidate.
3. Lautaro Martinez, Inter
Beginning with two PSG attackers should by no means suggest a lack of quality in the Inter squad. Certainly not with Lautaro Martinez in the exceptional form he has displayed in the Champions League. The Argentine striker has scored in every knockout round so far, making a remarkable recovery from a muscle injury to play and star in the unforgettable 4-3 victory over Barcelona in the second leg of the semifinals.
The 27-year-old embodies the spirit of this Inter team: battle-tested in crucial moments, perhaps nearing the peak of his career after numerous seasons at the top level, yet possessing the intelligence and experience to perform when it matters most. His refined understanding of playing in a two-striker system alongside Marcus Thuram will present questions for PSG that they rarely face against top European opposition. Martinez shows no hint of doubt looking ahead to his second final appearance in three years.
`We need to analyze [PSG`s] strengths and weaknesses, which we can exploit to make it a great match and a great final,` he stated. `Above all, we need to savor it, because it has been a demanding competition, and reaching the final twice in three years demonstrates our deservingness. We`ve put in the work, we are humble, and we aspire to keep progressing.`
`To experience another final of this magnitude, in this competition, will be incredible. It’s a dream once again within our reach, and I don`t even want to dwell on whether I will achieve this goal that we all share, a goal that has eluded Inter for such a long time. I truly want to relish this moment, this final, this game. If it comes to pass, it will be a dream come true.`
4. Yann Sommer, Inter
However, despite the brilliance of their attacking players, it is difficult to imagine Inter reaching this stage without Yann Sommer between the posts. Across 13 Champions League matches, he has conceded 11 goals and, crucially, prevented 5.23 expected goals, based on the quality of shots he has faced. He hasn`t simply inflated his numbers against weaker opponents either. His performances in the semifinals, quarterfinals, and against English teams highlight his impact:
- vs. Manchester City: faced five shots on goal, made five saves, prevented 1.2 goals.
- vs. Arsenal: faced four shots on goal, made four saves, prevented 1.65 goals.
- vs. Bayern Munich (two-legged quarterfinal): faced 13 shots on goal, made 10 saves, prevented 0.21 goals.
- vs. Barcelona (two-legged semifinal): faced 19 shots on goal, made 14 saves, prevented 1.74 goals.
It has taken something truly special to overshadow Gianluigi Donnarumma in this season`s Champions League. What Sommer has delivered is precisely that – something truly special.
As was evident to anyone who watched him at Euro 2020, this is a goalkeeper who thrives on the biggest occasions. Sommer might already have peaked with his stunning performance against Barcelona in the second leg of the semifinal, limiting them to just three goals. His precise dives to his right to deny Lamine Yamal were somehow surpassed by a point-blank block that left Eric Garcia in disbelief. For a 37-year-old, his footwork to shuffle across the goal and balance himself, allowing him to get a meaningful touch on a shot that might otherwise have been just palmed away, is remarkable.
Given PSG`s ability to control territory and the potent threat of their attack, this is likely to be a demanding day for Sommer, who has faced an average of 4.4 shots on his goal per 90 minutes in the Champions League this season. So far, he has consistently delivered for Inter whenever they needed him most. They will surely need him again on Saturday.
5. Achraf Hakimi, PSG
With only one spot left on the list, there were many worthy candidates. Alessandro Bastoni might be the premier playmaking center-back globally. Vitinha could arguably be the best midfielder currently playing. This final might not feature a Premier League superpower, one of Spain`s traditional giants, or some of the stars who have left the Parc des Princes, but make no mistake, it is not lacking in talent. There is more than enough quality to go around.
Achraf Hakimi ranks highly among these top-tier players, serving as a crucial component of this PSG side. Inter Milan, where he patrolled the right flank before being signed by Les Parisiens in 2021, know his capabilities intimately. Just as he did in Milan, Hakimi can effectively operate as a one-man right flank when required.
He is undoubtedly extremely effective going forward, trailing only Barcola and Dembele in terms of touches in the penalty box. Any full-back averaging over two shots per 90 minutes represents a significant attacking threat, especially when they strike the ball as cleanly as he did for his goal against Arsenal in the semifinal second leg. While that goal came from broken play, it exemplifies one of Hakimi`s key strengths: his ability to step infield and pose just as much danger as he does with overlapping runs. Many full-backs can make devastating overlapping runs; a growing number can also influence the game with underlapping runs and moving infield. As his touch map hints at, Hakimi can perform both roles effectively.
Now in his seventh season playing for an elite European club, Hakimi has significantly improved his defensive attributes. His ability to effectively counter-press when caught high up the pitch contributes significantly to making PSG one of the most effective elite teams without possession. Only 10 players have won possession in the attacking third more times than the Moroccan this season, and it`s no surprise that none of them are defenders. When forced to track back, he still possesses the athleticism to catch almost anyone. If he can overcome the challenge posed by Alessandro Bastoni and Federico Dimarco, forcing the latter to focus on defending rather than his own attacking threat, then Hakimi could have as profound an impact on this contest as any player.
