Inter Milan vs PSG: Tactical Preview for Champions League Crown

PSG seek their first Champions League title, having lost their only final in 2020 to Bayern Munich. Inter, three-time winners (last in 2010 under José Mourinho), aim for a fourth crown after losing to Manchester City in 2023. This is the second France-Italy final, following Marseille’s 1-0 win over AC Milan in 1993, also in Munich.

PSG have been in scintillating form, winning five of their last six matches, including a dominant French Cup final victory. Their only loss was a 2-1 defeat to Strasbourg on 03/05/2025, ending a 39-match unbeaten away run in Ligue 1. They clinched Ligue 1 with six games to spare, highlighting their attacking prowess led by Ousmane Dembélé.

Under Simone Inzaghi, Inter cruised through the league phase, finishing fourth with 19 points and conceding just once in eight matches. They dispatched Feyenoord (4-1 aggregate), Bayern Munich (4-3 aggregate), and Barcelona in a dramatic 7-6 aggregate semi-final, highlighted by a 4-3 extra-time win at San Siro. Their defensive solidity and counter-attacking prowess have been key.

Enrique’s young squad thrives on high pressing and dynamic wing play. Ousmane Dembélé, Ligue 1’s joint-top scorer with 21 goals and Player of the Season, leads a potent attack alongside Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and either Bradley Barcola or Désiré Doué (Barcola is favored to start).

The midfield trio of João Neves, Vitinha, and Fabian Ruiz provides control and relentless ball recovery, while goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has been a knockout-stage standout. However, PSG’s vulnerability to set pieces—conceding 11 goals in Ligue 1—could be exploited. Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes, dynamic full-backs, will test Inter’s wing-backs.

Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 emphasizes defensive balance and clinical finishing. Wing-backs Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco, who combined for key goals and assists against Barcelona, will be pivotal in both attack and defense.

The midfield trio of Nicolò Barella, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan dictates tempo, while strikers Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram exploit spaces on the counter. Inter’s bench, including Davide Frattesi, Carlos Augusto, and Mehdi Taremi, offers tactical flexibility. Their aerial strength (fourth in Champions League aerial duel win rate) and set-piece proficiency could target PSG’s weakness.

Inter’s wing-backs (Dumfries vs. Mendes, Dimarco vs. Hakimi) will face PSG’s electric wingers (Kvaratskhelia and Barcola/Doué). Dumfries’ set-piece threat (two goals vs. Barcelona) could be decisive, but PSG’s pace may stretch Inter’s back three, especially if Yann Bisseck’s injury forces Stefan De Vrij to start, potentially exposing a lack of speed.

PSG’s Neves-Vitinha-Ruiz trio will aim to dominate possession in the middle of the park, but Inter’s experienced midfield, led by Çalhanoğlu, excels at playing through presses. The battle for control could dictate the game’s tempo.

Inter’s aerial dominance and PSG’s defensive frailty in dead-ball situations could be a game-changer. Francesco Acerbi’s stoppage-time goal against Barcelona highlights Inter’s threat.

Kvaratskhelia is back in training after a minor issue, and Dembélé has recovered from a hamstring concern. Presnel Kimpembe is the only absentee (Achilles injury). Enrique faces a choice between Barcola and Doué on the right.