Champions League 2024 - 2025: Historic treble awaits PSG

INTER AND THE HUGE MENTAL DISADVANTAGE

Not long ago, the "treble" was the ambition of both Inter Milan and Barcelona. Inter extinguished Barcelona's hopes with a thrilling 7-6 (overall) victory in the Champions League semi-finals. But just a few days before that, Inter's own "treble" dream also went up in smoke, when they were eliminated by AC Milan in the semi-finals of the Italian Cup. Last weekend, Inter also lost the Scudetto trophy to Napoli. So the pressure became heavy when Inter's "treble" goal could become zero if they lose to PSG in the Champions League final this weekend. In that case, including the secondary Super Cup (Inter lost to AC Milan in the final in the middle of the season), Inter would be empty-handed in all 4 matches. Too bitter for rising coach Simone Inzaghi.

Champions League 2024 - 2025: Historic treble awaits PSG - Photo 1.

PSG is facing a chance to win the treble in the 2024 - 2025 season

PHOTO: REUTERS

Serie A is the most intense of the top five European leagues this season, with the rivalry continuing until the final round (there has even been talk of a play-off to decide who is better between Inter and Napoli). Having led the league for eight consecutive rounds, Inter have finally shown signs of running out of steam, falling behind Napoli in the last four rounds. Inter lost their advantage in the final stages after two consecutive defeats to Bologna and AS Roma in Serie A, and were also eliminated from the Coppa Italia by AC Milan. Immediately after that series of matches were two Champions League semi-finals against Barcelona, with the return leg including extra time. Again, it was too intense both mentally and physically. In the penultimate round of Serie A, Inter only drew 2-2 with Lazio, with the opponent's equalizer coming from a penalty in the 90th minute. In the end, Inter lost to Napoli in the race for the championship by just one point.

PSG IS TOO RELAXED

In stark contrast to Inter’s difficult journey in the final month of the season, PSG have been considered Ligue 1 champions for months. Coach Luis Enrique can field a reserve team in this tournament whenever necessary. They are 19 points ahead of second-placed Marseille in the final standings. This is a huge advantage, and also the first contrast to note before the Champions League final between PSG and Inter.

In theory, the Champions League final is always the most intense match of the year in top-flight football, where teams always do everything they can to have a "free mind and free spirit" for the remaining matches at the end of the season. Marseille is the only French team in history to have won the Champions League. They beat AC Milan 1-0 in the 1993 final. And to achieve that goal, Marseille President Bernard Tapie had to spend money to "buy matches" to shake off the influence of the Ligue 1 championship race, to the point that one of the biggest scandals in the history of top-flight football appeared (the VA-OM case fell apart shortly after).

In the current situation, while Inter are facing the risk of going completely empty-handed, PSG are facing the opportunity to "treble", even though they have never won the C1/Champions League. This year is the 5th time the C1/Champions League final has been held in Munich (Germany). In all 4 previous matches, victory always meant the honor of lifting the trophy for the first time for the champion. PSG will be the same, if they beat Inter in this match. On the other hand, there has only been one previous time that representatives of France and Italy met in the final (Marseille - Milan in 1993). The victory then also belonged to the French representative. PSG fans are certainly hoping to continue the above traditions.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/champions-league-2024-2025-cu-an-ba-lich-su-cho-psg-185250525212531373.htm