The biggest stage in European club football has been presented in the form of a dramatic clash between inter vs psg in the UEFA Champions League final. London’s iconic Wembley Stadium is the perfect venue for the clash of two contrasting footballing philosophies – Italian tactical pragmatism versus French offensive flair. In front of 90,000 fans packed into the stands and hundreds of millions more watching on television around the world, the match promises drama, tension and unforgettable moments that will weave a new chapter in the history of the world’s most prestigious club football competition.
Introduction
Both teams’ journeys to the final offer a compelling narrative of revival and transformation. Inter Milan, under the astute leadership of Simone Inzaghi, have undergone an impressive renaissance after years of struggling for consistency on the European stage. Having won the Scudetto last season, the Nerazzurri carried that momentum into the Champions League, displaying a perfect blend of traditional Italian defensive discipline and a more progressive approach to building attacks.
The group stages were not easy for Inter, drawn alongside Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Benfica in the so-called “group of death”. However, they progressed as runners-up, only narrowly beating Barcelona on goal difference. The last 16 saw the challenge of a notoriously tough Porto side, but Inter showed tactical maturity to win 3-1 on aggregate.
The quarter-finals saw them face Barcelona again in a clash full of drama and intensity. After losing 2-1 at Camp Nou, Inter showed great character to beat the Catalan giants 3-1 at San Siro to advance to the semi-finals.
The semi-final against Bayern Munich was their toughest test yet. Having drawn 1-1 in the first leg at the Allianz Arena, Inter again showed their winning mentality with a 2-1 home win thanks to Lautaro Martinez’s late goal, securing their place in the final 3-2 on aggregate.
PSG, on the other hand, have been on a journey that reflects a fundamental transformation under Luis Enrique. After years of being seen as a collection of stars without enough team cohesion, the Parisian club have finally found the right balance between individual talent and collective discipline. Dominant in the group stage with six wins from six games, they eliminated Arsenal in the last 16 with a convincing display.
The quarter-finals provided a great drama as PSG faced holders Real Madrid. After losing 2-1 in Paris, they produced a remarkable comeback to win 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu led by a Kylian Mbappé hat-trick, sending a strong signal of their ambition. The semi-final against Manchester City was a tactical test against Pep Guardiola. After a 1-1 draw at the Etihad, PSG were dominant in a 2-0 home win thanks to goals from Mbappé and Vitinha, showing a tactical maturity rarely seen from them in the past.
The Wembley final not only represents the pinnacle of the European football season, but also has profound significance for both clubs. For Inter, it is a chance to secure their sixth Champions League trophy, equalling Liverpool’s record, and cementing their rise to the elite of European football. For PSG, it represents a second chance to finally realise the ultimate aspiration of their Qatari project after their failure in the 2020 final against Bayern Munich.
Team Preparation
Ahead of the final, both teams have been preparing meticulously, with a focus on physical condition and tactical details. Inter held intensive training sessions at their Appiano Gentile training centre before travelling to London three days before the final. Inzaghi has a full squad to choose from, with only minor doubts over the fitness of Hakan Çalhanoğlu, who is recovering from a minor injury.
The 3-5-2 formation that has become Inter’s identity under Inzaghi is sure to be retained. The solid defensive trio of Bastoni-Acerbi-Pavard has been a solid foundation throughout the season, while wing-back duo Dumfries and Dimarco provide width and attacking options from the flanks. The midfield of Barella, Çalhanoğlu and Mkhitaryan offers the perfect balance of creativity, tempo control and defensive resilience. Up front, captain Lautaro Martinez is paired with Marcus Thuram, forming an attacking duo that combines positional intelligence, physical strength and sharpness in front of goal.
PSG also arrive in London well prepared. Luis Enrique held a closed-door training session at Chelsea’s loaned Cobham academy, focusing on sharpening quick transitions and defending against counter-attacks. A flexible 4-3-3 formation was chosen with some tactical modifications to deal with Inter’s three-man defence.
Mbappé, who is set to play his final game for PSG before joining Real Madrid next season, led the line alongside Dembélé and Asensio on either flank. A creative midfield of Vitinha, Zaïre-Emery and Ruiz were responsible for controlling the tempo and breaking down Inter’s defensive block. The defence was led by experienced captain Marquinhos who partnered former Inter defender Milan Škriniar, adding an intriguing subplot to the match.
The pre-match press conferences revealed the different mental approaches of the two coaches. Inzaghi, with characteristic calm, spoke of the importance of his team’s emotional balance and experience in dealing with pressure. “We have been through a lot of big games together. We know the quality of our opponents, but also believe in our own strengths and identity,” he said.
Enrique, more philosophical in his approach, stressed PSG’s evolution as a collective. “It’s not about individuals, it’s about the team. We’ve grown mentally and tactically throughout the season. Tomorrow is the chance to show the world our transformation,” said the Spanish coach.
Course of the Match
As Polish referee Szymon Marciniak blew the opening whistle under a London dusk, the atmosphere at Wembley reached extraordinary levels. The chants from both sets of supporters created a thrilling auditory culmination, underlining the significance of this moment in the global football calendar.
PSG, driven by the desire to redeem themselves from the 2020 final, started with great intensity. Their aggressive pressing forced Inter deeper than they wanted in the opening 15 minutes. The first chance came in the 12th minute when a quick combination between Mbappé and Dembélé opened up space on the right flank of the Inter defence. Dembélé’s cross found Asensio unmarked at the far post, but his weak header was easily gathered by Onana.
Inter gradually found their rhythm, with Barella and Çalhanoğlu beginning to take control in midfield. In the 23rd minute, a perfectly executed counter-attack saw Dumfries overlap down the right and deliver a through ball that Thuram almost finished off, but Donnarumma made a brilliant reflex save.
Inter’s pressure finally paid off in the 28th minute. From a corner, the ball was cleared only to the edge of the box where Çalhanoğlu was waiting. The Turkish midfielder unleashed a powerful volley that flew into the top corner, giving Inter a 1-0 lead. The Italian fans’ jubilation was in stark contrast to the disappointment in the PSG camp.
PSG responded by increasing their intensity. Mbappé, who had been relatively quiet in the early stages of the match, began to show flashes of his quality with some dangerous runs that tested the Inter defence. Their efforts almost paid off in the 39th minute when Ruiz’s long-range effort hit the crossbar after being slightly touched by Onana’s fingers.
PSG’s sustained pressure finally paid off just before the break. After the Inter defence failed to clear the ball properly, Vitinha quickly won and played a precise through ball to Mbappé who calmly rounded Onana before finishing into an empty net. The score was 1-1 at the break reflecting the balance of the match.
The second half began with both teams making tactical adjustments. Inzaghi brought on Frattesi for Mkhitaryan, looking for new energy in midfield, while Enrique kept his line-up but changed his approach with a higher pressing. The intensity of the game increased with both teams looking to gain an advantage.
The crucial moment came in the 61st minute. After a midfield battle, Barella produced a brilliant through ball that split the PSG defence. Martinez raced into space, controlled the ball with a perfect first touch and calmly finished past the advancing Donnarumma, putting Inter back in front 2-1. The Argentina captain ran towards the Inter fans in emotional celebration, realising the significance of the goal.
PSG responded immediately by bringing on Lee Kang-in and Kolo Muani to add creativity and firepower. Enrique switched to a more offensive 4-2-3-1 formation, risking everything in search of an equaliser. Their pressure almost paid off in the 72nd minute when Mbappé’s 25-yard free-kick hit the crossbar with Onana rooted to the spot.
The drama escalated in the 79th minute when PSG were awarded a penalty after VAR detected a handball by Acerbi in the box from Dembélé’s cross. Mbappé, with the chance to equalise, stepped forward confidently. However, Onana showed why he is considered one of the best goalkeepers of the tournament, guessing the direction correctly and making a spectacular save to preserve Inter’s lead.
PSG, frustrated by the penalty miss, became more intense in their attack. Inter responded by tightening up their defence, bringing on De Vrij and Darmian to bolster their backline. Inter’s deep defence managed to keep the waves of PSG attacks at bay, with Bastoni and Acerbi making crucial blocks.
Five minutes of tense stoppage time saw PSG launch attack after attack in a desperate search for an equaliser. The most dramatic moment came in the 94th minute when Marquinhos’ header from a corner hit the crossbar before being cleared off the line by Dumfries – a moment that confirmed that this was indeed Inter’s night.
When Marciniak blew the final whistle, the Inter players erupted in jubilation, celebrating their incredible achievement. PSG, for the second time, suffered bitter disappointment in a Champions League final.
Key Players
Several players stood out with outstanding performances on the biggest stage. For Inter, Nicolò Barella played a perfect game in midfield, combining defensive hard work with brilliant offensive vision that produced the assist for Martinez’s winner. André Onana was the hero with a crucial penalty save and several other key interventions that kept Inter in the lead.
Lautaro Martinez once again proved his worth for Inter with a decisive goal that showed his composure under pressure. The Alessandro Bastoni-led defence also deserve special praise for their organisation and discipline in the face of PSG’s dangerous attacks.
For PSG, despite missing the penalty, Kylian Mbappé remained the most dangerous player with an equaliser and several other moments of brilliance. Vitinha showed world class in midfield with precise ball distribution and solid defensive work, while Marquinhos led by example in defence even though his last-gasp effort almost changed the game.
Statistics
The match data reveals interesting dynamics from the final. PSG dominated possession with 60% to 40%, and had more shots (19 to 12). However, Inter were more efficient with 7 shots on target to PSG’s 6, showing a more clinical approach.
Inter showed their defensive strength with 27 successful tackles and 18 interceptions, while PSG won more aerial duels (16 to 12) and made more successful dribbles (15 to 8). Other key figures show Inter made 29 clearances to PSG’s 12, confirming their solid defensive approach.
Individual statistics show Barella covered 12.8 kilometres – the highest in the match, while Mbappé created 6 chances and completed 9 of his 13 dribbles. Onana made 6 saves, including a penalty, while Donnarumma made 5 saves.
Conclusion
The 2025 Champions League final will be remembered as a perfect example of how modern football still upholds traditional values such as tactical discipline, team cohesion and a winning mentality. Inter’s victory marked the historic club’s real rise to the top of European football after years in the shadow of domestic and continental rivalries.
For Simone Inzaghi, the trophy was a validation of the coaching philosophy he has developed at Inter – a perfect combination of a solid defensive structure and a clever offensive approach. His ability to adapt his strategy and get the most out of his squad proved that he has matured into one of the best coaches in the world.
For PSG, the defeat was a second major blow in the Champions League final and raises serious questions about their long-term project, especially with Mbappé’s imminent departure. While the positive transformation under Enrique cannot be ignored, this failure could lead to a significant change in the club’s approach to team building in the future.
As captain Lautaro Martinez lifted the “Big Ears” trophy amidst a sea of black and blue fans, it not only celebrated Inter’s sixth title but also marked the renaissance of Italian club football after years of dominance by other leagues. For European football as a whole, the final confirmed that in an era dominated by financial power and mega-transfers, the foundations of true success still lie in coherent team building, intelligent tactical leadership and an unwavering winning mentality.
Wembley 2025 will always be remembered as the night Inter Milan once again established themselves as one of the true forces of European football, proving that the club’s history, tradition and identity remain relevant factors in the ever-evolving modern game.