Paris Saint-Germain’s Crowning Glory
Munich, May 31, 2025 – After years of heartbreak and near misses, Paris Saint-Germain finally reached football’s promised land and they did so in the most emphatic way possible. On a balmy evening at the Allianz Arena, PSG obliterated Inter Milan 5-0 in the UEFA Champions League Final, the largest winning margin in the history of the competition’s final.
This was more than a victory; it was a statement, a tactical dissection and the culmination of a long-gestating project under Luis Enrique.
Tactical Brilliance:
Luis Enrique’s Triumph of Structure and Style
Luis Enrique came into this final with a clear vision: dominate possession, press high, rotate midfield lines, and unleash youthful energy. PSG operated primarily in a fluid 4-3-3, which often morphed into a 3-2-5 in possession. It was in this shape that they pinned back Inter Milan from the opening whistle.
Achraf Hakimi, deployed almost as a hybrid winger, opened the scoring in the 12th minute, finishing off a sweeping move that started with Zaïre-Emery winning the ball high up the pitch. The pressing trap had sprung and Inter never recovered.
In midfield, Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz, and Warren Zaïre-Emery controlled the tempo, but it was Désiré Doué, the 19-year-old sensation, who truly lit up the Allianz. Doué scored twice, floated between lines, and showed a fearlessness in possession that belied his age. His performance will likely go down as one of the most memorable in Champions League final history.
Outfought, Outthought, Outplayed
Simone Inzaghi’s Inter Milan, typically disciplined and defensively robust in their 3-5-2 setup, looked like a shadow of themselves. The Italian side was undone by PSG’s intelligent pressing, spatial manipulation, and technical superiority.
Key weaknesses included:
- A midfield trio overwhelmed by PSG’s dynamic rotations.
- Wing-backs Dumfries and Dimarco caught out repeatedly, offering no real width in attack and failing to track runners.
- A backline that struggled to handle the 1v1 challenges posed by Kvaratskhelia and Hakimi.
Inter managed just one shot on target and looked bereft of ideas every time they approached PSG’s box.
Stars of the Show
Désiré Doué
The breakout star of the evening. Two goals, constant movement, technical security, and tactical intelligence. His second goal, a slaloming solo effort, epitomized PSG’s dominance and Doué’s raw talent.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
The Georgian winger tore apart Inter’s right side. A goal and multiple take-ons showed why he’s considered one of Europe’s best.
Warren Zaïre-Emery
The heartbeat of the midfield. At just 19, he played with the calmness and command of a veteran, often winning possession and dictating the rhythm.
Senny Mayulu
The 18-year-old capped the night with the fifth goal, a composed finish that symbolized PSG’s rising generation.
Match Statistics Snapshot
| Key Metric | PSG | Inter Milan |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 59% | 41% |
| Shots (on target) | 18 (10) | 5 (1) |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 3.7 | 0.4 |
| Pass Accuracy | 91% | 83% |
| High Press Recoveries | 12 | 3 |
Managerial Masterclass vs Tactical Implosion
Luis Enrique’s fingerprints were all over this victory:
- His use of inverted full-backs added stability in midfield.
- The pressing patterns, particularly in the first 30 minutes, choked Inter’s build-up.
- Most impressively, he trusted his young stars on the biggest stage, and they delivered.
Simone Inzaghi, on the other hand, looked shell-shocked. His side failed to adapt after going 2-0 down, and the late substitutions lacked intent or direction. It was a sobering night for the Nerazzurri.
🏆 A New Era for PSG
For all of PSG’s previous failures in Europe, the infamous remontadas, the heartbreak in Lisbon in 2020, this victory represents redemption. And perhaps more importantly, it marks the beginning of a new cycle. With the likes of Doué, Zaïre-Emery, Mayulu, and Kolo Muani, PSG has shed its reliance on aging superstars and embraced a sustainable, exciting footballing identity.
This wasn’t just a win, it was a message to Europe: PSG is no longer chasing glory. They are setting the standard.
Post-Match Quotes
Luis Enrique:
“We didn’t just want to win, we wanted to dominate. This is the result of belief in young talent and commitment to playing our football. This is just the beginning.”
Désiré Doué:
“This is a dream. I grew up watching PSG, and now to score twice in the final? It’s unreal.”
Simone Inzaghi:
“We were second-best tonight. Tactically and physically. We have to learn from this.”
Final Verdict
This was more than a football match, it was the passing of a torch in European football. With youthful brilliance, tactical innovation, and ruthless execution, PSG didn’t just win the Champions League, they rewrote the narrative.
