The battle of two football backgrounds

PSG - Ảnh 1. — PSG (left) vs Inter Milan (right) - Photo: REUTERS

There is almost no fate between PSG and Inter Milan, but between French and Italian football it is different.

France - Italy: arch-rivals

Football in Europe can be divided into many schools. Speedy like the English, tight like the Germans, technical like the Spanish, clever like the Italians and flamboyant like the French.

As football becomes increasingly globalized, traditional values are gradually changing. As the boundaries of tactics and identity begin to blur, it is almost as if only the Italians have retained their own uniqueness.

Indeed, look at German football to see the change in playing style. From being nicknamed "tanks" with a rough, tough style to the extreme, the German team has transformed over the past decade into one of the most beautiful teams in Europe.

The English are producing more and more technical stars. The Spanish combine the speed of their African players. And the French are becoming the representative multi-ethnic football of Europe.

Only Italy has retained its "weird" nature. At Euro 2020, they won the championship with a team that had almost no big stars. Juventus has always been considered the typical team of Italian football.

But now Inter Milan deserves that position. The team under coach Simone Inzaghi is stronger than Juventus, AC Milan and has a rich Italian character with at least 6 Italian pillars in the squad. And of course, they also have coach Inzaghi.

That Italian-inspired side will face the team that has dominated France for over a decade. Like Inter Milan, PSG are not short of homegrown stars, with Lucas Hernandez, Zaire-Emery, Barcola, Doue and Dembele all key players. Most of them are young, fast, African-born and technically gifted attackers.

Inter Milan and PSG have never met in any official tournaments. But Italian and French football have had too many confrontations, even in the finals of major tournaments.

During Zidane's peak era, France beat Italy in the quarter-finals of the 1998 World Cup on penalties, then won Euro 2000 by defeating their opponents 2-1 in that year's final.

Six years later, the Italians took revenge with a dramatic victory in the 2006 World Cup final. Since then, the two teams have often faced each other with the balance constantly shifting.

No one is better than anyone else

The 2025 Champions League final is somewhat reminiscent of the 2006 World Cup final. The French, as usual, still have more outstanding stars.

The media is certain that if PSG wins the championship, Ousmane Dembele will win the Golden Ball. Not only that, Kvarastskhelia and goalkeeper Donnarumma are also considered to have a good chance.

PSG are having a perfect season. And their strength is clearly shown through the value of their players. The 25 names in the hands of coach Luis Enrique are valued at a total of 923 million euros, while the 25 players of Inter Milan are only 664 million euros.

But in a final, don't be fooled by such numbers. Two years ago, Inter Milan were half the value of Man City in terms of players. But they played better, created more chances, and only lost because of bad luck. PSG are not Real Madrid, so they can take advantage of their superstars.

As the oldest team in the Champions League this season (average age 29.6), Inter Milan are underrated in terms of player value. But when entering a final, maturity is an advantage. It was maturity that helped Acerbi become Inter Milan's hero against Barca. And in the final, this 37-year-old center-back played the role of defensive leader.

But superstars still have superstar value. PSG's current midfield can be considered the best in the world , with three players who are technically gifted and well-rounded in attack and defense: Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha and Joao Neves.

On the attack, stars like Dembele and Kvaratskhelia create the feeling that they can penetrate any defense. The pressure that Inter Milan will face in this match promises to be no less than when they clashed with Barca.

But the most promising match-up is the head coach position. Both Luis Enrique and Simone Inzaghi are highly regarded for their commanding skills. Both have reached the Champions League final, and both have won prestigious titles in their careers. While Luis Enrique sticks to the Spanish style of control, Inzaghi is adept at turning the tables in a very Italian style.

PSG - Inter Milan may not be a dream final at the club level, but it is a dream confrontation between two football backgrounds.

PSG

Squad value: 923 million euros

Average age: 23.6

Record: 10 wins, 1 draw, 5 losses

Inter Milan:

Squad value: 664 million euros

Average age: 29.6

Record: 10 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss

(*): PSG has to play play-off so there are more matches

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HUY DANG