INTERNAL AND MAJOR PSYCHOLOGICAL DISADVANTAGES
Not long ago, winning the treble was the ambition of both Inter Milan and Barcelona. Inter extinguished Barcelona's hopes with a thrilling 7-6 (aggregate) victory in the Champions League semi-finals. But just a few days before that, Inter's own treble dream had also vanished when they were eliminated by AC Milan in the Coppa Italia semi-finals. Last weekend, Inter lost the Scudetto to Napoli. The pressure has intensified, as Inter's treble goal could be lost if they lose to PSG in the Champions League final this weekend. In that case, including the Coppa Italia final (which Inter lost to AC Milan in midseason), Inter would end up empty-handed in all four competitions. A bitter blow for rising coach Simone Inzaghi.
PSG has the opportunity to win the treble in the 2024-2025 season.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Serie A was the most intense of all five top European leagues this season, with the rivalry maintained right up to the final round (there was even talk of a play-off to determine the winner between Inter and Napoli). Having led the league for eight consecutive rounds, Inter ultimately faltered, falling behind Napoli in the final four matches. Inter lost their advantage in the final stages after two consecutive defeats against Bologna and AS Roma in Serie A, and were also eliminated from the Coppa Italia by AC Milan. Immediately following that series of matches were two Champions League semi-final matches against Barcelona, with the second leg including extra time. It's worth repeating that it was incredibly stressful, both mentally and physically. In the penultimate round of Serie A, Inter only managed a 2-2 draw against Lazio, with the equalizer coming from a penalty in the 90th minute. Ultimately, Inter lost to Napoli in the title race by a mere one point.
PSG is too relaxed.
In stark contrast to Inter's arduous journey in the final month of the season, PSG had virtually secured the Ligue 1 title months in advance. Coach Luis Enrique could field a reserve team whenever necessary in this competition. They finished 19 points ahead of second-placed Marseille in the final standings. This was a huge advantage, and the first striking contrast to note ahead of the Champions League final between PSG and Inter.
In theory, the Champions League final is always the most tense match of the year in top-level football, where teams do everything they can to have a clear mind and focus on 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's president, Bernard Tapie, had to spend money to "fix" matches in order to avoid the influence of the Ligue 1 title race, to the point of creating one of the biggest scandals in the history of top-level football (the VA-OM case that collapsed shortly afterwards).
Currently, while Inter faces the risk of ending the season empty-handed, PSG has the opportunity to win a treble, even though they have never won the Champions League. This year marks the fifth time the Champions League final has been held in Munich, Germany. In all four previous matches, victory has always meant the honor of lifting the trophy for the first time. PSG will also achieve this if they beat Inter in this match. On the other hand, there has only been one previous occasion when representatives from France and Italy met in the final (Marseille vs. Milan in 1993). That victory also went to the French team. PSG fans are undoubtedly hoping to continue this tradition.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/champions-league-2024-2025-cu-an-ba-lich-su-cho-psg-185250525212531373.htm
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