In an impressive display on Saturday night, PSG surged toward their first Champions League title with a convincing 5-0 victory over Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena.
From the very start, the team dominated, as Luis Enrique’s squad began to fulfill their ambitions in Munich.
Just eight minutes in, PSG doubled their lead, with Gianluigi Donnarumma showcasing his skills and 19-year-old sensation Doue bringing the Nerazzurri’s aspirations to a halt.
Making a significant impact, Doue netted his second goal shortly after halftime with a stunning solo effort that marked a historic moment for the club.
While Khvicha Kvaratskhelia missed several golden opportunities in the first half, he eventually scored the fourth goal in the final 13 minutes of the match.
In the closing moments, academy graduate Senny Manail added a fifth, ensuring that Saturday’s 5-0 triumph stands as PSG’s most significant victory in a Champions League final.
With aspirations for a complete trophy haul this season, it’s clear that PSG could easily have netted even more goals in Munich.
The club is embracing a new era, featuring some of Europe’s brightest stars, as they look to build a Champions League dynasty in the years to come.
For Inter Milan, the defeat was a harsh reality check. The Italian giants are left to contend with another disappointing chapter after relinquishing their Serie A title just last weekend.
Clearly impacted by emotional fatigue from recent setbacks, it’s suggested that Saturday’s loss may signal the end of Simone Inzaghi’s tenure.
As PSG marked their journey toward their inaugural Champions League title, the Allianz Arena echoed with significant moments.
PSG Establishes Itself as a European Powerhouse
After the previous summer’s turmoil surrounding Kylian Mbappe’s potential move to Real Madrid, there was much speculation about how PSG would deal with the departure of their star player.
Yet, with a relatively smooth run in Ligue 1, the French superstar has thrived under Enrique’s guidance, cementing PSG’s status among Europe’s elite.
Despite dominating domestically over the last decade, the pursuit of European silverware has been a priority since the Qatar-backed takeover in 2011.
With a younger roster moving beyond the eras of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Sergio Ramos, PSG made a bold statement on Saturday night.
On their path to Munich, PSG dismantled an Inter team once considered formidable, celebrating their place in European history.
Inzaghi Faces a Difficult Departure
Though Inter Milan recorded a 2-0 victory over Como last weekend, they lost the Serie A title to rivals Napoli and entered Munich with considerable pressure.
While they had a chance to redeem themselves, Inzaghi’s squad faltered under pressure and will likely face scrutiny in the wake of another disappointing performance.
It’s anticipated that a sizeable overhaul might be necessary at San Siro.
Despite leading Inter to domestic success and two Champions League finals in the past three years, it seems the 5-0 defeat may mark the end of Inzaghi’s coaching tenure.
In the days leading up to the match, the former Lazio manager has already been linked to a move to a Saudi club, with announcements expected soon.
Doue Steals the Show
While Ousmane Dembele has emerged as a star in Paris following his transfer from Barcelona, it was the 19-year-old Doue who captured the spotlight on Saturday.
Though some anticipated a leading role from Bradley Barcola, Doue was pivotal to PSG’s performance, demonstrating why he’s regarded as one of Europe’s rising talents.
Despite failing to score in his previous eight games, he showcased his abilities by mirroring Gareth Bale’s performance in a Champions League final.
Against Federico Dimarco, Doue’s contributions included 31 goals and assists across all competitions, cementing his place in PSG’s legacy.
Match Report
PSG: Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes, Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz, Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Substitutes: Ramos, Hernandez, Mile, Barcola, Zaire Emery
Inter Milan: Sommer, Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni, Dimarco, Mkhitaryan, Calhanoglu, Barella, Dumfries, Thuram, Martinez
Substitutes: Aslani, Augusto, Bisek, Dalmian, Zarevsky
Goals: Hakimi (12′), Doue (20′, 63′), Kvaratskhelia (73′), Manail (86′)
Yellow Cards: PSG: Hakimi, Doue – Inter Milan: Acerbi, Thuram, Zalewski
Red Card: N/A
Referee: Stephen Kobacus
Fan Take: This monumental victory for PSG not only marks their first Champions League title but also signifies a shift in European football dynamics, with the rise of new talents such as Doue. For fans, this victory could ignite a new era of competitiveness and excitement in the sport, reshaping expectations for future tournaments.