The pinnacle of European club football arrives on Saturday as Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan clash in an unexpected final match for the 2025 Champions League title, scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. PSG faced challenges during the initial league stage but demonstrated remarkable form in the knockout rounds. Inter, on the other hand, has relied on one of the tournament`s most formidable defenses, coupled with the excellent performances of forwards like Lautaro Martinez and Denzel Dumfries, to reach this stage.
Paris Saint-Germain is seeking its first-ever Champions League trophy, with their squad and coach Luis Enrique seemingly well-prepared for the high-pressure occasion. Inter is no stranger to the intensity of a final, as many players from the current squad were part of the team that lost to Manchester City in the 2022-23 final.
This final could be more dynamic than typical showpiece matches, especially with the attacking prowess offered by PSG players like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele, who have helped transform the team into one of the world`s elite attacking forces. Inter faces a significant challenge in containing PSG`s offense, but the Italian side has demonstrated its ability to compete effectively even in open, fast-paced games.
How They Reached the Final
Paris Saint-Germain: Doubts arose about PSG`s chances of progressing from the group stage when they collected only four points from their first five matches. However, they rebounded strongly, finishing 15th overall and advancing to the knockout phase. There, they faced fellow Ligue 1 side Brest, achieving a dominant 10-0 aggregate victory. Their next opponent was Liverpool. Despite a 1-0 home loss in the first leg, Luis Enrique`s team recovered, forcing a penalty shootout at Anfield which they won to move on. Against Aston Villa, PSG nearly squandered a first-leg advantage but ultimately secured a 5-4 aggregate win. Their challenging run against English clubs continued with Arsenal in the semifinal, but PSG proved superior, advancing to the final with a 3-1 aggregate score.
Inter Milan: Inter`s journey was somewhat less dramatic than PSG`s. The team that finished as Serie A runners-up secured fourth place in the league phase, earning a direct spot in the round of 16. They comfortably defeated Dutch side Feyenoord with a 4-1 aggregate score. The quarter-final against Bayern Munich presented a sterner test. A crucial first-leg victory in Munich was just enough for Inter to hold off the German champions, securing a 4-3 aggregate win, thanks in part to key contributions from Davide Frattesi. Inter`s semifinal against Barcelona delivered significant drama. After a 3-3 draw in the away leg, a thrilling extra-time period saw Inter secure a wild 4-3 second-leg victory (7-6 on aggregate), with Denzel Dumfries and Davide Frattesi playing pivotal roles.
Key Lineup Consideration
A significant question mark hangs over the fitness of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. His integration from Napoli was transformative for PSG`s attack, providing dynamic interchangeability with Dembele and unpredictability. Kvaratskhelia missed the Coupe de France final due to an unspecified injury. While he has returned to training ahead of the final, his fitness level is uncertain, potentially forcing coach Enrique to make difficult decisions. Given PSG`s attacking depth, starting Bradley Barcola on the wing might be an option if Kvaratskhelia isn`t fully fit, which could impact PSG`s initial attacking potency.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Paris Saint-Germain: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Marquinhos, Achraf Hakimi, Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Joao Neves, Ousmane Dembele, Deserie Doue, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Inter Milan: Yann Sommer, Yann Bisseck, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni, Denzel Dumfries, Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Federico Dimarco, Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram
Player to Watch
Ousmane Dembele, Paris Saint-Germain: As one of the standout performers in world football during 2025, Ousmane Dembele presents a major challenge for Inter`s defense. He is considered a top contender for the Ballon d`Or award for the best male player. With 24 goals and six assists across all competitions this calendar year, he has the opportunity to make a decisive impact in the biggest match of his career. Long destined for stardom, Dembele`s progress was often hampered by injuries. However, with PSG managing his fitness, he has consistently led the attack as a central figure.
Defining Narrative: The Treble Chase
Having already secured the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France, PSG stands as the sole team with a chance to complete the treble this season. Achieving this would make them the first side to do so since Manchester City in 2022-23, and would mark a second treble for coach Luis Enrique, who previously accomplished the feat with Barcelona. PSG`s notable improvement since the departure of Kylian Mbappe has been clear, defying expectations of a potential rebuilding year. Enrique has successfully navigated the season, and now needs one more victory to cap off a historic campaign.
Match Prediction
Inter has effectively overcome every obstacle in their path and will undoubtedly make this a difficult contest for PSG. However, Paris Saint-Germain`s ability to create scoring opportunities from various positions on the field is likely to be the decisive factor. It is incredibly challenging to defend against threats across the entire pitch, and a single moment, perhaps a low-percentage shot finding the net past Sommer, could be enough to open up the game entirely.
Champions League final pick: PSG 2, Inter 1
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