The Champions League thrives on variety. When the same teams dominate year after year, the competition loses its excitement. In recent seasons, Real Madrid and Manchester City have appeared in every final, with one of them winning the title for three consecutive years. Since 2014, the trophy has been lifted only by teams from Spain or England, with Bayern Munich’s 2020 triumph standing out as an exception due to unique pandemic circumstances.
This weekend’s final in Munich promises something different. Paris Saint-Germain will face Inter Milan, marking a rare France-versus-Italy showdown. It’s a significant moment for both leagues. Serie A, once considered the world’s strongest league, has not claimed the Champions League for 15 years. Ligue 1 last tasted glory in 1993, when Marseille defeated Milan in the inaugural Champions League season. Since then, only two French clubs have reached the final: Monaco in 2004 and PSG in 2020.
PSG’s approach has undergone a fundamental shift. In the past, the club relied on assembling star-studded attacking lineups, a strategy designed to capture global attention. With their Qatari owners having established a worldwide reputation, the focus has now shifted towards a more sustainable, team-oriented model under coach Luis Enrique. Instead of depending solely on individual brilliance, PSG is fostering a collective playing style anchored in discipline, teamwork, and tactical organization.
Young French talent has become the backbone of this transformation. Players like Ousmane Dembélé, who has evolved from a flamboyant winger to a central playmaker and goal threat, exemplify the change. The arrival of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a Georgian winger with a tenacious spirit reminiscent of Franck Ribéry, has also boosted the team’s attacking dynamics.
PSG’s dominance in the domestic league is strengthening, and with it comes an advantage similar to Bayern Munich’s longstanding supremacy in the Bundesliga. This national monopoly grants them privileged access to France’s rich talent pool, reinforcing the club’s identity and competitive edge. Moreover, both PSG and Bayern face relatively little domestic pressure compared to the grueling battles seen in the Premier League. This comparative ease allows them to focus their energy on European competition and consistently secure Champions League qualification.
On the other side, Inter Milan’s journey to the final is a testament to Italian football’s enduring strengths. Although lacking the world’s most dazzling individual stars, Inter compensates with tactical intelligence, unity, and relentless passion. Their style disciplined defending, collective effort, and swift counterattacks embodies the essence of team sport. This approach propelled them past giants like Bayern and Barcelona en route to the final.
Inter’s determination is palpable, driven by the awareness that this may be a rare opportunity for many players to secure European glory. The team’s spirit recalls other successful Italian sides of the past, including Inter’s 2010 Champions League-winning squad. This is a mature team that maximizes its potential through cohesion and resilience.
For fans of the competition, the absence of perennial finalists Manchester City and Real Madrid this year is a reminder of football’s cyclical nature. Guardiola’s Manchester City, despite years of near perfection, have shown signs of losing their spark after nearly a decade at the top. Real Madrid’s recent victory was not without its vulnerabilities, revealing cracks even in a team led by one of the most successful managers in the tournament’s history.
Looking ahead, PSG’s fresh approach might signal a new era of success for the French club, moving beyond their previous failures despite having world-class stars like Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé. In contrast, Inter’s pragmatic style is unlikely to lead to repeated dominance, especially given the challenges Italian clubs face in reclaiming their former European hegemony.
The broader takeaway is encouraging: for the first time in years, the Champions League final features representatives from four different major leagues, not just two. This diversity is vital for the competition’s health and appeal. While it would be ideal to see even more leagues represented in the later stages, the presence of PSG and Inter signals that the Champions League remains a tournament where multiple nations and playing styles can compete for glory.
Despite all the changes in players and tactics, the final will still be defined by two coaches with strong football philosophies shaped by their countries’ traditions. Simone Inzaghi and Luis Enrique represent Italy and Spain respectively, continuing a legacy of tactical expertise and passion that defines Europe’s top-level football.
In sum, this final is more than a match it’s a celebration of the Champions League’s diversity and the evolving nature of European football.
