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Pre-match comments PSG vs Inter
Ahead of the 2024/25 Champions League final, coach Simone Inzaghi reminded Inter Milan of their journey, saying that his players “did something extraordinary, producing four great performances against two world-class opponents in Bayern and Barca”. All of which shows the Nerazzurri’s great maturity compared to two years ago, when they lost the 2023 final to Man City. Now, in their seventh C1/Champions League final, they are full of determination to win their fourth title.
For PSG, this is only their second appearance in the Champions League final, after their first (and defeat) in 2020. After five years, Les Parisiens' squad no longer has superstars like Neymar, Kylian Mbappe or Di Maria. However, Willian Pacho, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are forming a powerful group. It is no exaggeration to say that Luis Enrique has built the best PSG of the Qatar era. Impressive results against Liverpool and Arsenal have proven that.
In Europe's top five leagues, with 147 goals scored in all competitions, PSG have the second-best attack, behind only Barca (174). In the Champions League, they (33 goals) are behind only Barca (43) in terms of goals scored. "PSG have developed strongly this season with the improvement of the players. We also create collective strength, and this is the most important thing," said Luis Enrique.
Tonight, to win their first Champions League title after many years of pursuit, PSG will need to show that strength against a stubborn Inter with the most solid defense in Europe, conceding only 11 goals and keeping 8 clean sheets. This will be the time for Luis Enrique's experience to speak up, after winning the title with Barca in 2015. In that year, his Barca won the treble. Now PSG have a similar opportunity, making Luis Enrique the second coach after Pep Guardiola to win the treble twice with two different teams.
Form, head-to-head history PSG vs Inter
PSG and Inter have never met in an official match. However, the two teams have met five times in friendlies, with PSG winning three and Inter winning one (the other was a draw, with Inter winning on penalties). In the past, the Champions League final has only been contested once between the French and Italian representatives. The last time was in the 1992/93 season, with the victory going to France, when Marseille beat Milan 1-0.
Notably, it was the first time Marseille won the European Cup and lifted the trophy in Munich. The other three finals held in Munich saw a team win for the first time, Nottingham Forest in 1979, Dortmund in 1997 and Chelsea in 2012.
Heading into the final in Munich, PSG have been in impeccable form, winning their last four games, including a 3-0 win over Reims to lift the French Cup. Inter are unbeaten in their last six games (W4 D2) but disappointment has reigned as their treble dream has been shattered. They were eliminated from the Coppa Italia at the end of last month, then finished second in Serie A. Another detail that should not be overlooked is that Inter's three defeats in the C1/Champions League have all been against treble-winning teams, including Celtic in 1967, Ajax in 1972 and Man City in 2023.
PSG vs Inter squad information
Both teams are at full strength with no injury concerns. PSG are likely to field the same line-up that beat Arsenal in the semi-finals, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the left of a front three, Ousmane Dembele at centre-forward and Desire Doue on the right.
Inter, Benjamin Pavard and Piotr Zielinski are both available after injury concerns. Captain Lautaro Martinez is also fully fit, as are the rest of the squad after being rested for the last Serie A game against Como. Only goalkeeper Yann Sommer, full-back Federico Dimarco and midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu started that day. They are all certain to start tonight.
Expected lineup PSG vs Inter
PSG: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Inter: Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Score prediction PSG 1-0 Inter
Source: https://tienphong.vn/nhan-dinh-chung-ket-champions-league-psg-vs-inter-02h00-ngay-16-lan-dau-cham-toi-giac-mo-post1747091.tpo
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