Historic Victory for Paris Saint-Germain
On a historic Saturday night, Paris Saint-Germain celebrated a monumental victory, overpowering Inter Milan with a 5-0 scoreline in Munich to clinch the coveted title of 2024-25 Champions League champions. This significant win makes PSG only the second French club to achieve this prestigious feat, following Marseille’s triumph in 1993.
Dominant Performance
Known for their fast-paced starts this season, PSG’s coach Luis Enrique saw his team quickly establish dominance, with Achraf Hakimi and Desire Doue finding the net within the first 20 minutes.
The final was anything but dull, as PSG’s offense was relentless from the outset—showcasing a performance befitting the occasion while leaving the Serie A side scrambling. Despite a marked improvement from Inter after the half-time break, Doue sealed the match with his second goal, supported by excellent teamwork from Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha. The additional goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Senny Mayulu served only to embellish PSG’s commanding display, resulting in the largest winning margin ever seen in a Champions League final.
Rebuilding After Disappointment
The journey to this victory contrasts sharply with PSG’s past struggles in European competitions. Although they have a relatively young history in the elite sphere of football, their reputation has often been marred by missed opportunities and unexpected failures. This victory, however, marks a significant shift, as the club’s Qatari ownership vision of lifting the Champions League trophy seems to be realized through this talented, youthful squad.
For Inter, who entered the final with aspirations of securing a domestic treble, disappointment was their ultimate takeaway as they finished the season without any major honors apart from the Club World Cup. President Beppe Marotta and sporting director Pier Ausilio will discuss the necessary steps to rejuvenate the squad and possibly consider a new managerial direction with Simone Inzaghi‘s future under review.
Standout Performances
Desire Doue emerged as a standout player, solidifying his status during this Champions League run. He transformed the game with his movement and scoring ability, netting two crucial goals—one to establish a solid lead and another to effectively end Inter’s hopes of a comeback. As PSG’s campaign unfolded, they displayed a remarkable talent for scoring early in the matches, allowing them to disrupt opponents’ strategies effectively. This was particularly evident as they amassed nine goals in the opening 20 minutes across their tournament games.
Despite the final being a testing ground for Inter, with Federico Dimarco‘s positioning contributing to PSG’s first goal, the overall quality of PSG’s performance showcased their ability not only to score but to control the flow of the game completely. This highlights a stark contrast between the two teams, with PSG effectively neutralizing Inter’s threats.
Looking Ahead
As PSG celebrates this landmark achievement, one can’t help but reflect on the profound effect this victory will have on the players and the club’s long-term aspirations. The journey to this pinnacle has not only redefined expectations for the Parisians but also set a bar for future European campaigns.
