The stage is set for a captivating UEFA Champions League final on Saturday 31st May at the Allianz Arena in Munich. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will face Inter Milan, and if their semi-finals are anything to go by, this should be a match that delivers drama, tactical intrigue and high-quality entertainment.
PSG are seeking their first ever Champions League title, while Inter are looking for redemption having fallen short at the final hurdle against Manchester City back in 2023.
Many football fans and pundits expected PSG to suffer after Kylian Mbappé left the club last summer. However, ironically, after he left to seek glory in this competition with Real Madrid, PSG (6/5) are the favourites to complete a very successful campaign.
However, having knocked out the favourites – Barcelona – in the semi-finals, and scoring seven goals in the process, Inter (9/4) aren’t in Munich to make up the numbers. This final is set up perfectly for the neutral, and here at Tonybet, we can’t wait.
PSG to meet Inter for the first time
Surprisingly, this will be the first time that PSG and Inter lock horns in a Champions League match. Their only previous meetings were in club friendlies, with Inter emerging victorious in their last encounter in 2023.
However, friendlies bear little resemblance to a high-stakes Champions League final, and without any competitive head-to-head stats to examine, the tie even more intriguing.
Both clubs deserve to be in the final and have beaten some of the best teams in order to be here. PSG hammered Brest, shocked Liverpool, held firm against Aston Villa, and then put Arsenal in their place.
Inter eased by Feyenoord, sprung a surprise against Bayern, and then produced an all-time classic against Barcelona.
PSG squad
Under the guidance of their Spanish manager Luis Enrique, PSG have undergone a transformation this season. While Mbappé’s departure concerned fans, the club has moved away from signing star names and has since moved towards a strategy that allows some of the best youth players in the world to flex their muscles.
PSG have always had money to burn, but they haven’t always spent it the right way. Mbappé, Neymar and Messi all came but none of them conquered. However, the experienced former Barcelona manager has taken them in a new direction, and it has worked, taking them to their first ever Champions League final.
Forward Ousmane Dembélé has been instrumental for PSG throughout their Champions League campaign, providing eight goals and four assists from 14 appearances. Many eyebrows were raised when the Frenchman moved for £50m from Barcelona back in 2023, but if he can lead PSG to glory in Munich, it will be money well spent. His pace and creativity make him a constant threat on the flank and Inter will need to keep a close eye on him.
At the other end of the pitch, Moroccan right-back Achraf Hakimi has been another standout player for PSG with three goals and five assists, including a goal against Arsenal in the semi-finals. The 26-year-old is known for his overlapping runs and willingness to get up the pitch and support his teammates.
Behind Hakimi, Gianluigi Donnarumma is between the sticks. The Italian goalkeeper was sensational in both legs against Arsenal. He has been a reliable last line of defence, making critical saves throughout the tournament. His shot-stopping ability and composure under pressure has allowed his defence to relax knowing that they can trust their number 1.
Warren Zaïre-Emery is a young midfielder who has emerged as a key figure in PSG’s midfield. His vision, passing range and ability to control the tempo of the game make him a player to watch in the final.
PSG’s depth and tactical flexibility make them formidable opponents, capable of adapting to various match situations.
Inter Milan squad
Inter, managed by Simone Inzaghi, have showcased their resilience and tactical discipline en route to the final. Their dramatic victory over Barcelona in the semi-finals, with Davide Frattesi scoring the decisive goal in extra time, will go down as one of the best Champions League matches in the last decade.
The Italian side have a number of standout players. Lautaro Martínez has been in prolific form, becoming Inter’s all-time leading scorer in the Champions League. His goal against Bayern Munich – in the stadium where the final is being held – was one of the best finishes you’ll ever witness. The Argentine striker’s ability to find the back of the net in crucial moments has often been vital for both club and country, and he knows how to rise to the occasion on the biggest stages in world football, as we saw last year at the Copa América.
Similarly to PSG, Inter have their own flying full-back/wing-back ready to cause havoc in the final. That player is Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries, whose versatility allows him to contribute both defensively and offensively, providing width and support in attack. His physicality and incredible crossing ability will likely pose problems for PSG’s defence.
Behind Dumfries, you will find Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer, another standout player for Inter both in this competition and domestically. He may have conceded six goals against Barcelona, but without his saves, it would have been more, and Inter wouldn’t have made the final. Sommer has been a steady presence, making essential stops to keep Inter in contention during tight matches. His experience and leadership will be crucial in organising the defence.
This could be a game that is won in the middle of the park, and Inter’s Turkish midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu will be integral if Inter are to get over the line. His set-piece delivery and long-range shooting ability are two standout traits, and his creativity and vision will be key to unlocking PSG’s defence.
Inter’s balanced approach, combining defensive solidity with attacking prowess, makes them a well-rounded team capable of challenging PSG’s offensive threats.
Tactical battle: PSG’s fluid attack vs Inter’s resilient defence
The Champions League final presents a fascinating tactical battle between PSG’s fluid attacking play and Inter’s resilient defence. PSG’s ability to transition quickly from defence to attack, utilising the pace of Dembélé and Hakimi, will be vital in breaking down Inter’s defensive lines. The midfield battle, led by Zaïre-Emery for PSG and Çalhanoğlu for Inter, will be pivotal in dictating the tempo of the game.
Inter’s defensive solidity, marshalled by Sommer and bolstered by the physical presence of Dumfries, will aim to stifle PSG’s attacking threats. The Nerazzurri’s counter-attacking style, spearheaded by Martínez, can exploit any spaces left by PSG’s attacking full-backs.
Prediction for the final
The final between PSG and Inter Milan promises to be an intriguing battle between two well-coached teams. PSG’s attacking flair and individual brilliance contrast with Inter’s disciplined defence and team cohesion. However, as we have already seen in this competition, both teams are able to strike when it matters and shut up shop when required. An early goal would really set the tone for an incredible final.
PSG are your favourites to win their first ever Champions League, and it’s not difficult to see why. Having knocked out superior opponents, including the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal, to make it to this stage, many have had PSG down to go all the way for quite some time.
However, Inter’s two legs against Barcelona – and seven goals scored against one of the best teams on the planet – gives them hope. Inter Milan are 6/5 to lift the trophy if you believe that they can win the match in 90 minutes, extra time or even penalties – and it’s hard to rule out.
If you’re struggling to decide on an overall winner, what might be worth a punt from what we’ve witnessed so far is goals. A final can often be cagey, but both teams have shown us more often than not that they are at their best when driving towards their opponent’s penalty box, and over 2.5 goals is priced at evens, which could be good value if there’s a goal inside the first 45 minutes.
Tonybet’s Champions League odds
As the Champions League final approaches, football fans around the world are eagerly anticipating this historic clash between PSG and Inter Milan. Both teams have overcome significant challenges to reach this stage, and the final promises to deliver a spectacle worthy of Europe’s premier club competition.
Whether you’re supporting PSG’s pursuit of their first ever Champions League title or backing Inter’s quest for a fourth top European title, the final is set to be a memorable occasion. As the Allianz Arena fills with anticipation, be sure to check out the hundreds of markets available with Tonybet for one of the biggest games of the season. Do remember to gamble responsibly.
