Who is Going to Win The Champions League Final?!

The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League final is a highly anticipated clash between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) from France and Inter Milan from Italy, tonight, at the Allianz Arena (also known as the Munich Football Arena) in Munich, Germany.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of the event, including the teams, venue, key players, predictions, and broader context.

Teams Playing

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG):

Background: PSG is competing in their second Champions League final, the first since 2020 when they lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich. This is their fifth European final overall, having won the 1996 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and lost in 1997, as well as the 1996 UEFA Super Cup. They aim to become only the second French club to win the Champions League, following Marseille’s 1993 victory, which coincidentally was also in Munich. PSG has already secured the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France this season, positioning them to potentially complete a continental treble.

Path to the Final: PSG had an inconsistent league phase, finishing 15th with a record of 4 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses (11 goals scored, 6 conceded). They turned their campaign around with a dramatic 4-2 comeback against Manchester City in January, followed by dominant knockout performances: 4-1 aggregate over Feyenoord (Round of 16), 4-3 over Bayern Munich (quarter-finals), and 3-1 over Arsenal (semi-finals).

Key Players:

Ousmane Dembélé: The 27-year-old French forward has been a standout, scoring 32 goals in 50 appearances this season, pivotal in PSG’s 30-match unbeaten Ligue 1 run.

Gianluigi Donnarumma: The goalkeeper’s heroics, including key saves against Arsenal, have been crucial. He’s rated among Europe’s top goalkeepers this season.

Achraf Hakimi, Fabian Ruiz, João Neves, Vitinha: These players form a dynamic midfield and defense, though PSG’s midfield lacks size, making them vulnerable to physical play.

Coach: Luis Enrique, a former Champions League winner with Barcelona, is leveraging PSG’s youthful squad (average age 24.4, fourth youngest in Europe’s top leagues) to exploit their attacking flair in a 4-3-3 formation.

Inter Milan:

Background: Inter is in their seventh Champions League final, having won in 1964, 1965, and 2010 (completing a treble), and lost in 1967, 1972, and 2023. This is their 13th European final overall, with three UEFA Cup wins (1991, 1994, 1998). They are the most recent Italian club to win the Champions League (2010) and aim to end a 15-year drought. Inter won Serie A in 2021 and 2024, and the Coppa Italia in 2022 and 2023.

Path to the Final: Inter dominated the league phase, finishing fourth with 6 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss (11 goals scored, 1 conceded). They advanced with a 4-1 aggregate over Feyenoord (Round of 16), a 4-3 upset over Bayern Munich (quarter-finals), and a thrilling 7-6 aggregate over Barcelona in the semi-finals, equaling the record for the most goals in a Champions League knockout tie.

Key Players:

Lautaro Martínez: The Argentine captain and 2023/24 Serie A top scorer (24 goals) leads with relentless work rate and clinical finishing.

Marcus Thuram: The French forward, son of legend Lilian Thuram, has scored 18 goals in 52 appearances, complementing Martínez.

Yann Sommer: The goalkeeper has been exceptional, preventing 5.1 goals over expected in 14 matches, including three world-class saves against Barcelona.

Francesco Acerbi, Denzel Dumfries, Federico Dimarco: Inter’s 3-5-2 system relies on their defensive solidity and wing-back dynamism. Acerbi’s extra-time goal against Barcelona was pivotal.

Coach: Simone Inzaghi, in his fourth season with Inter, is chasing his first European title as a manager. His 3-5-2 formation emphasizes defensive discipline and set-piece dominance.

Location and Venue

Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

Details: The 75,024-capacity stadium (70,000 for European matches) is home to Bayern Munich and was completed in 2005. Its iconic transparent foil panels change colors based on the teams playing. This is the second Champions League final at the Allianz Arena (first in 2012, when Chelsea beat Bayern on penalties) and the fifth in Munich, following finals at the Olympiastadion in 1979, 1993, and 1997. The stadium hosted matches at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2020/2024.

Kick-off Time: 9:00 p.m. CEST (3:00 p.m. ET, 8:00 p.m. BST, 12:30 a.m. IST on June 1).

Historical Note: Munich finals have historically crowned first-time winners (Nottingham Forest 1979, Marseille 1993, Borussia Dortmund 1997, Chelsea 2012).

Tickets: Each finalist club receives 18,000 tickets, with remaining tickets for the 75,000-capacity stadium sold globally via UEFA’s platform or secondary markets like StubHub. Prices range from €70-€950 (£59-£809).

Expected Winner and Predictions

Analyst Predictions (from ESPN and other sources):

PSG Favored: PSG is considered the slight favorite due to their attacking firepower and midfield strength. Julien Laurens (ESPN) predicts a 2-1 PSG win, citing their “star power” and players like Dembélé, who could deliver a moment of genius. Tom Hamilton (ESPN) notes PSG’s superior midfield and front three, with their Ligue 1 title already secured, allowing focus on the final. Posts on X also list PSG as favorites, with betting odds at 65%.

Inter’s Strengths: Inter’s defensive solidity (conceding only one goal in eight league-phase matches) and set-piece prowess make them a formidable opponent. Gab Marcotti (ESPN) predicts a 2-1 Inter win, highlighting their tactical discipline and 37-year-old Francesco Acerbi’s clutch performance against Barcelona as a sign “the stars are aligning.” Inter’s experience, with seven players from their 2023 final, adds resilience.

Tactical Contrast: The final pits PSG’s youthful, high-intensity 4-3-3 against Inter’s experienced, compact 3-5-2. PSG’s flair could overwhelm Inter, but Inter’s physicality (fourth in aerial duels among 36 teams) and goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s shot-stopping could neutralize PSG’s attack. The match is expected to be tight, potentially decided by individual brilliance or set pieces.

Key Factors:

PSG’s fresher squad (average age 24.4 vs. Inter’s 29.4, the oldest in Europe’s top leagues) and lack of domestic commitments give them an edge in preparation.

Inter’s experience in high-stakes matches and their ability to grind out results, as seen in their 7-6 semi-final win over Barcelona, make them a dangerous underdog.

Owen Hargreaves and Gary Neville have leaned toward PSG, with Neville emphasizing their need for a trophy to cap their project.

Fascinating tidbits:

1. New Format: This is the first Champions League final under the Swiss system, a 36-team league phase where each team plays eight matches. The top eight advance directly to the Round of 16, while 9th to 24th compete in playoffs. PSG (15th) and Inter (4th) navigated this format successfully.

2. Ceremony and Entertainment: American rock band Linkin Park headlined the pre-match show, sponsored by Pepsi®. German violinist David Garrett will perform a rearranged “Seven Nation Army” during the trophy presentation. Romanian referee István Kovács will officiate.

3. Stakes: The winner earns a spot in the 2025/26 Champions League league phase, the 2025 UEFA Super Cup against Tottenham Hotspur (Europa League winners), the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. They will also receive €6.5 million, with an additional €1 million for the Super Cup winner.