Inter and PSG meet in a Champions League final without global stars
Luis Enrique was clear during the filming of his documentary that Mbappé's departure from PSG gave him absolute control over his team's play. The Asturian did not want to take charge of that club in the midst of a constellation of stars. After his confrontation with Messi at Barça, he found it hard enough to control Mbappé on the pitch without adding the Argentine, Ramos or Neymar to the mix.
The Parisians were out of the Champions League in December. A comeback against City made up for the heavy defeat against Atlético Madrid and, from that moment on, they were unstoppable in La Liga and Europe. Luis Enrique had taken control of his players and the orchestra was playing to his tune. What's more, Dembélé rediscovered the player he never was at Barça and could easily win the Ballon d'Or if he wins the final on 31 May in Munich.
Arteta's Arsenal went to Paris to suffocate PSG and almost succeeded. But Donnarumma emerged as a giant and put to rest all the doubts that have surrounded him for years about his reliability. Fabián scored the first with a left-footed shot from the edge of the box. Everything was set up for that play, and the finish was perfect. The second was scored by Haikimi, who has been consistent in defence and attack, rewarded with decisive goals like this one. In the midst of it all, Vitinha missed a penalty that Raya guessed correctly to keep Arsenal alive in the hell of Paris. Saka made it 2-1, but the English side were unable to reproduce the intense play of the opening minutes and Luis Enrique's men showed their experience in the last 20 minutes to see out the game without any scares.
It will be PSG's second final after their defeat in Lisbon in 2020 in the midst of the pandemic. That goal by Coman, a PSG youth product, left Mbappé without the Champions League and the millionaire team with doubts as to whether so many stars would ever bring them closer to reigning in Europe. Standing in their way will be Inter, defeated in 2023 by City in Turkey. The last Italian team to win the Champions League wants to repeat Mourinho's feat in 2010. PSG has a tougher task, having never won the Champions League and, since 1993, no French team has lifted the trophy. The last was Olympique de Marseille against Milan at the Olympic Stadium in Munich.
Inzaghi's Inter have been building a reliable team in Europe for years. Five years with the younger Inzaghi brother and Conte's spell have put them in a position to win the Champions League again. Their tie with Barcelona was historic. A total of 13 goals and a 7-6 result that will go down in history. The second half of the Italians is gold for Luis Enrique, who will look to those minutes to find a way to destroy Inter just as Barça did. From 2-0 to 2-3, although the 3-3 in the 93rd minute and extra time were a breath of fresh air in the Milan downpour.
Lautaro played injured but scored and won a penalty. Thuram played the full 120 minutes despite being injured and was key in the 4-3 win. Inzaghi packed the Italian area with defenders and Barça crashed against Sommer's gloves, who saved a guided shot from Lamine Yamal.
The new Champions League is coming to an end. The group stage has not been as exciting as expected because the last day of the league was disappointing. In the end, UEFA has only added more teams and more matches, and it is understandable that the clubs have asked for extra time not to be played in order to reduce the number of minutes.
There will be no stars in the final. Without Mbappé, Haaland or Yamal, the European football final will be all about coaching. Pure, unadulterated tactics, the blackboard and the reactions of Inzaghi and Luis Enrique. The king of Europe will emerge from Munich.
