The Champions League final in Munich isn’t just a tactical clash. It’s a meeting of two clubs shaped by entirely different philosophies—and two lineups that reflect the tension between stability and reinvention.
Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain arrives as a team reborn. Gone are the superstar imbalances of the Messi-Neymar-Mbappé era. In their place: structure, youth, and relentlessness. Enrique’s side has already taken down four Premier League clubs in 2025 and enters the final with belief, form, and a clear identity.
Inter Milan, by contrast, is experienced and rugged. Simone Inzaghi’s team survived a chaotic semi-final against Barcelona, where Davide Frattesi’s extra-time goal sealed a 7–6 aggregate win. They’ve conceded more goals than usual, but still carry the aura of a group that knows how to suffer and win.
How the teams are expected to line up
PSG will almost certainly stick with the 3-4-2-1 that has taken them this far. Gianluigi Donnarumma starts in goal, behind a back three of Marquinhos, William Pacho, and Achraf Hakimi. Nuno Mendes and João Neves should provide width, with Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz operating centrally. The front three picks itself: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desiré Doué play behind Ousmane Dembélé, whose 33 goals and 13 assists make him a Ballon d’Or contender.
For Inter, Yann Sommer is a lock in goal. Alessandro Bastoni, Francesco Acerbi, and likely Yann Bisseck form the back three. Carlos Augusto looks set to edge out Federico Dimarco at left wing-back, while Denzel Dumfries remains undroppable on the right after his standout semifinal. Hakan Çalhanoglu and Nicolò Barella will be joined in midfield by Henrikh Mkhitaryan, favored over Frattesi for his control in big games. Up top, Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martínez lead the line, with the captain expected to shake off a recent knock.
The intrigue lies in the details: Will Doué get the nod over Barcola? Can Augusto hold up defensively against Neves? Can PSG’s press disrupt Inter’s rhythm? And what happens when the game slows down and experience takes over?
It’s not just a final. It’s a referendum on two ways of building a football team. The whistle can’t come soon enough.
Predicted starting XIs
Paris Saint-Germain (3-4-2-1)
GK: Donnarumma
DEF: Marquinhos, Pacho, Hakimi
MID: Mendes, Vitinha, Ruiz, Neves
ATT: Kvaratskhelia, Doué
ST: Dembélé
Inter Milan (3-5-2)
GK: Sommer
DEF: Bastoni, Acerbi, Bisseck
MID: Augusto, Calhanoglu, Barella, Mkhitaryan, Dumfries
ST: Thuram, Martínez
