SATURDAY EVENING IN MUNICH: TWENTY YEARS OF WAITING FINALLY ENDS!

← Back

 

Saturday evening Champions League Final 2025 Allianz Arena Munich

The Champions League Final 2025 brings a clash that all football Europe has been waiting for. Paris Saint-Germain finally found their identity after the departure of superstars Messi, Mbappé and Neymar, and under Luis Enrique created a team that can finally win the coveted European crown. Inter Milan returns to the final after three years with hunger for redemption - in 2023 they lost to Manchester City narrowly 1-0 due to Rodri's goal.

Luis Enrique worked a miracle at PSG. After years of unsuccessful attempts with galactic stars, he built a real team where every player knows their role. Ousmane Dembélé became the leader of the attack and his performances catapulted him among Ballon d'Or candidates. The French winger is enjoying the best season of his career this year and will want to crown his incredible form in the final.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who came from Naples, brought Georgian magic and unpredictability to PSG. "Kvaradona" has personal accounts against Inter - in six career matches against the Nerazzurri he never scored or assisted, despite creating chances. The final could be his big moment.

Overall, PSG under Enrique plays much more balanced than ever before. They won the French title with ease, also won the domestic cup against Reims 3-0, and now aim for a historic treble. Their path to the final was impressive - they beat Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal in succession.

Simone Inzaghi is perhaps the most underrated coach in Europe. In the last five years he has quietly done great things and transformed Inter into one of the best teams on the continent. In the 2023 final against Manchester City they deserved more than a 1-0 defeat - they held one of Europe's strongest attacks to just seven shots with xG 0.99, while they had 14 shots with xG 1.68.

This year Inter showed incredible adaptability. In the Champions League group stage they conceded just one goal in eight matches and finished fourth. Then came the semifinal against Barcelona, which will be written into football history - a 3-3 draw in Catalonia and a 4-3 victory after extra time at home. Inter managed to beat Hansi Flick with his own weapon - quick counter-attacks.

Alessandro Bastoni is one of the best defenders in the world and will be tasked with marking Dembélé. In the semifinal against Barcelona he was heroic - he forced teenager Lamine Yamal to nine shots with just xG 0.39 and created only one chance for teammates.

Gianluigi Donnarumma and Yann Sommer were the two best goalkeepers in this year's Champions League. Both were heroes of their semifinal stories. Donnarumma made eight saves against Arsenal in two matches and conceded just one goal with xGOTA 3.86 - that's simply incredible.

Sommer was even busier - against Barcelona he had 19 saves in 180 minutes. Despite six goals conceded, he managed to be worth 1.01 xGOTA, meaning he prevented more than a goal above expectation. The Swiss goalkeeper is in the form of his life at age 36.

Luis Enrique versus Simone Inzaghi - two of the most underrated coaches in Europe will compete for the biggest club trophy. Enrique this year made PSG title candidates in an unconventional way. Instead of relying on individual star quality, he built a real team where everyone knows their role.

Inzaghi meanwhile made Inter one of the most adaptable teams in the world. They can play defensively or offensively, depending on situational needs. Against Barcelona they showed they can also play open football and win a goal fest with one of Europe's best attacks.

The final returns to Munich for the first time since 2012, when Chelsea overcame home advantage and beat Bayern on penalties. The Allianz Arena with a capacity of 66,000 spectators will witness a historic moment. The stadium, which hosted EURO 2020 and EURO 2024 matches, became the first stadium in history to host matches from two consecutive European championships.

PSG's start to the league phase was problematic, but three wins in a row against Salzburg, Manchester City and Stuttgart were enough to advance. In the playoffs they beat Brest 10-0 over two legs, then eliminated Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal - all English teams fell.

Inter was one of the most consistent teams in the new league phase - one goal conceded in eight matches. Victories over Feyenoord and Bayern led to a semifinal against Barcelona, which became a classic.

For PSG this would be their first Champions League title in club history. After years of frustration with galactic stars, they would finally prove that team football can be stronger than individual stardust. For Inter it would be redemption after 15 years. They last won the title in 2010 under José Mourinho as part of a historic treble.

Key battles that will decide the final include Dembélé against Bastoni - French speed against Italian tactical intelligence. Kvaratskhelia against Dumfries means Georgian magic against Dutch strength. The goalkeeper battle between Donnarumma and Sommer could decide the entire final.

An early goal could have a huge impact on the match development. Whoever scores first will have a psychological advantage. Goalkeepers could decide it with saves, tactical changes by coaches during the match will be crucial, and of course handling the pressure of a Champions League final.

The Champions League Final 2025 promises to be one of the best in history. Two teams with different stories but the same desire for the European crown. One dream will come true, the other will fade away. But both teams can already be proud of what they've achieved.

The final takes place Saturday evening at the Allianz Arena in Munich.