The battle to be crowned champions of Europe culminates on Saturday as Paris Saint-Germain face Inter Milan in the Champions League final. The match is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. PSG struggled in the group stage but found form in the knockout rounds. Inter, on the other hand, boasts one of the competition`s strongest defenses and is buoyed by the excellent form of Lautaro Martinez and Denzel Dumfries. While PSG has never won the trophy, their players are expected to be prepared under coach Luis Enrique. For Inter, pressure is familiar, as many in the squad experienced the defeat in the 2022-23 final against Manchester City.
This match could be more open than a typical final, partly due to the attacking prowess of PSG, transformed into one of the world`s best units with the help of players like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele. Inter faces a difficult challenge in containing PSG`s attack, but they have demonstrated the ability to hold their own even in fast-paced games.
Path to the Final
Paris Saint-Germain: Paris Saint-Germain`s journey was initially uncertain. Concerns arose when they only secured four points from their first five group games. However, they recovered, finishing 15th to qualify for the knockouts. They made a strong statement by beating fellow Ligue 1 side Brest 10-0 on aggregate. Next, they faced Liverpool, overcoming a 1-0 first-leg home defeat to win a penalty shootout at Anfield. Aston Villa followed, a tie PSG won 5-4 on aggregate despite a scare. They then navigated past another English opponent, Arsenal, securing a 3-1 aggregate victory to reach the final.
Inter Milan: Inter`s route was comparatively smoother. They finished fourth in their group, earning a bye to the Round of 16. A comfortable 4-1 aggregate win over Dutch side Feyenoord followed. The quarter-final against Bayern Munich was tougher; a first-leg victory in Munich was narrowly enough to advance 4-3 on aggregate, aided by decisive moments from Davide Frattesi. The semifinal against Barcelona provided ample drama. After a 3-3 away draw featuring a strong performance from Dumfries, Inter secured a wild 4-3 second-leg victory in extra time (7-6 on aggregate), propelled again by Frattesi.
Key Lineup Question
The main question for PSG is the fitness of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. His arrival from Napoli significantly boosted the attack, providing unpredictability by interchanging with Dembele. He missed the Coupe de France final due to an undisclosed injury. Although he is back in training, his readiness for 100% match fitness remains uncertain, leaving coach Enrique with decisions. Given PSG`s attacking depth, starting Bradley Barcola on the wing is an option if Kvaratskhelia isn`t fully fit, though this could potentially impact PSG`s initial attacking strength.
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 Spotlight
Ousmane Dembele, Paris Saint-Germain: Dembele has been exceptional throughout 2025, establishing himself as a top candidate for the Ballon d`Or. Inter faces a major challenge in slowing down his influence. He has contributed significantly with 24 goals and six assists across all competitions this calendar year and has the opportunity to score in a pivotal career moment. Historically, injuries have been a barrier for Dembele, but with PSG managing his fitness, he has flourished as a central figure leading the attack.
Potential Treble
Paris Saint-Germain is pursuing a treble, having already won Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France. Achieving this would make them the first team since Manchester City in 2022-23 to do so, and Luis Enrique would join an elite group by winning the treble twice (previously with Barcelona). Even without Kylian Mbappe, PSG has shown clear improvement under Enrique, defying expectations of a rebuilding phase. Enrique has made the right tactical decisions, needing just one more victory to complete the job and secure the club`s first-ever Champions League title.
Match Prediction
Inter has successfully navigated every challenge so far and will undoubtedly test PSG severely. However, PSG`s ability to score from various positions and ranges across the pitch is expected to be the decisive factor. It`s impossible for Inter to defend every area, and just one well-taken shot could open up the game. Prediction: PSG 2, Inter 1.
Dominic Ashworth