MUNICHEN – Paris Saint-Germain dominated Inter Milan with a stunning 5-0 victory on Saturday, capturing their first-ever Champions League title.
PSG celebrated an incredible season, clinching the League, Cup, and Champions League, highlighted by a standout performance from 19-year-old forward Désiré Doué, who scored twice.
Who needs celebrated players like Lionel Messi or Neymar when there’s a talent like Doué? PSG’s triumph reflects their strategy of investing in young talent rather than relying solely on expensive superstars.
Achraf Hakimi opened the scoring within 12 minutes, followed by Doué’s goals and additional strikes from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Senny Mayulu. Inter Milan, now facing their second final defeat in three seasons, finds themselves among the teams with the most losses in the Champions League final.
This victory also means PSG manager Luis Enrique joins Pep Guardiola as the only manager to win the Treble with two different teams. – Mark Ogden
Inzaghi’s Strategy Falls Flat
Mike Tyson once said that everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.
Inter Milan’s manager, Simone Inzaghi, tried to implement a strategy that would involve absorbing PSG’s aggressive start, similar to how Arsenal managed to hold them back previously.
He hoped PSG would be less organized under pressure, allowing Inter to control the ball and capitalize on set pieces, leveraging their physical advantages over PSG.
After going 2-0 down within 20 minutes, that strategy quickly became untenable. The overwhelmed midfield struggled to gain possession or create chances, and with PSG ahead, they could focus on neutralizing Inter’s wingbacks and cutting off services to their forwards.
With no goals before halftime, it was hard to see how Inzaghi might turn things around. Throughout the season, Inter was rarely behind, having only trailed for eight minutes in the Champions League until this final.
Inter had faced top teams but wasn’t prepared for the intensity and aggression that PSG brought. -GAB Marcotti
Doué’s Breakthrough Performance
Back in September, Désiré Doué had yet to make his Champions League debut; now, just nine months later, he’s a European champion, shining in the final with two goals and an assist. He showcased everything that makes a standout player.
No other player in history has both scored and assisted in a Champions League final before.
Before the match, there was some debate over whether Doué or Bradley Barcola would take the right wing position. PSG manager Luis Enrique’s decision to start Doué was vindicated as he consistently troubled the Inter defense.
His vision and unselfish assist for the first goal illustrated his character, while both of his goals showcased his skill. Inspired by his idol Neymar, Doué demonstrated impressive control and flair.
While he showed potential at Rennes starting at 16, he struggled with consistency. PSG invested €50 million in him last summer, believing he could transform into a world-class player.
After a disappointing performance against Arsenal earlier in the season, his father affirmed Doué’s readiness for the big stage.
Now, Doué is poised to be part of an exciting rivalry with Barcelona’s 17-year-old Raminyarmal over the title of best young player in the world.
Interestingly, “Désiré Doué” translates to “desired talent,” a fitting moniker for a young player who has already accomplished so much at 19. – Julien Lawrence
Youth and Energy Prevail Over Experience
Prior to the final, some noteworthy statistics emerged.
Though not the oldest squad in the Champions League, Inter, at an average age of 29.4, was the eldest in Europe’s top five leagues, while PSG’s players averaged 112 kilometers covered per game compared to Inter’s 92. The narrative centered on whether Inter’s experience would prevail or if PSG’s youthful vigor would shine through.
Ironically, Inter ended up covering more ground than PSG during the match (111.7 km vs. 104.4 km), indicating how well Luis Enrique’s team maintained possession.
Crucially, both of PSG’s first two goals came from costly mistakes by Inter’s defense. They misjudged defensive assignments, allowing Hakimi to score the opener, and a miscommunication led to another chance for Doué.
Experience certainly matters in football, but it doesn’t guarantee wise decision-making, and on this day, it was PSG who appeared to be more composed and savvy. – Marcotti
Inter Struggles to Apply Pressure on PSG
Inter’s journey to the Champions League final has demonstrated that quality often supersedes quantity. They focused on absorbing pressure from opponents while conceding numerous low-quality shots. However, this approach requires a baseline level of aggression to be effective.
One key measure is PPDA (Passes Per Defensive Action), which provides insight into a team’s defensive activity. PSG averaged 10.1 in the Champions League, ranking fifth among teams, whereas Inter required a lesser yet still significant average to succeed.
Before the final, Inter allowed fewer than 20 PPDA in nine matches and won all of them; exceeding that figure negatively impacted their outcomes, including draws and one loss.
Unfortunately for Inter, they allowed an astonishing 27.1 PPDA in the first half against PSG, failing to apply adequate pressure to disrupt their opponent’s flow. Eight PSG starters completed at least 20 passes by halftime, effectively dismantling Inter’s defense.
PSG played confidently and accurately, exploiting gaps in Inter’s defense for their first goal. Their play remained sharp, and while they faced challenges on counters, their early goal set the tone.
By the end of the first half, Inter couldn’t establish sufficient control or pressure on PSG’s play, which only intensified in the second half. Inter attempted to apply more pressure later, creating spaces that led PSG to extend their lead.
This clash served as a reminder that speed often triumphs over experience in sports, leaving a lasting impact on the perception of talent in football. – Bill Connery
Fan Take: This monumental win for PSG not only marks a significant triumph in their history but also highlights the rise of young talent in soccer, indicating a shifting landscape in the sport. As clubs increasingly invest in youth, fans can expect a more dynamic and unpredictable future in football narratives.
