Champions League final predictions see clear favourites for PSG vs Inter emerge
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN VS INTER MILAN: This season's Champions League final takes place in Munich on Saturday and our writers have weighed in with their predictions for the biggest game in European football
So, it all comes down to this, the Champions League final. After a record 188 games in the competition's new format, we're potentially 90 minutes away from crowning the kings of Europe.
The road to Munich has been a marathon and the only two teams left coming towards the finish line are Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan. Both sides are fuelled by pain of losing a final in recent memory; one much-changed team and the other very much the second coming.
PSG no longer rely on the superstars who failed to fire them to glory in Lisbon five years ago, as Luis Enrique has reshaped them in his own image after bouncing back from the tragedy of his nine-year-old daughter's death. Inter, meanwhile, haven't had to change course, as this could be the defining moment of Simone Inzaghi's trophy-laden tenure ahead of his potential farewell.
But who'll lift the trophy at the Allianz Arena on Saturday? We asked Mirror Football's writers for their predictions.
John Cross
Paris Saint-Germain will win the Champions League. And my argument is simple: they are the best team I have seen in European competition this season. They have beaten Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa on the way to the final. Plus Manchester City in the league phase.
It's not just because they are better than English opposition. Luis Enrique's team have been exceptionally well organised, exciting in every department - from full-backs Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes to forwards Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - and brilliant in midfield, especially Vitinha.
This feels like, at long last, PSG's time. Enrique has made it about the team. No more megastar names, a sense of togetherness and, after all the money spent, they look ready to deliver.
It would be crazy to write off Inter Milan as some sort of defensive threat. Did you see the semi-final with Barcelona? Inter boss Simone Inzaghi has also built a team rather than a squad of superstars. They have big game experience. And have been upsetting the odds all the way. But the romantic in me says PSG.
PSG 3-1 Inter Milan
Who'll win the Champions League final - PSG or Inter Milan? Give us your score prediction in the comments section.
Neil McLeman
Like for Manchester City in 2023, this is finally Paris Saint-Germain's time to win the Champions League after losing their first final. It took 15 years for the Abu Dhabi-owned club, bought in 2008, to finally win European football's biggest club trophy after falling to Chelsea in 2021.
PSG, bought by Qatar in 2011, lost to Bayern Munich in the 2020 Covid final with a forward line of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Angel Di Maria. Lionel Messi joined the following year but the superstar team did not work. Current coach Luis Enrique has still been able to spend - PSG bought Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli for €70million (£59m) in January - but he has built a young, hard-working team of future stars.
Ousmane Dembele has been outstanding while Gigio Donnaruma proved with his saves against Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa that he is the best keeper in the world. Inter Milan have more experience - and two excellent strikers in Lautaro Martinez and Marc Thuram - but PSG will prevail.
PSG 2-1 Inter Milan
Mike Walters
Everyone knows the biggest football match this weekend is Oldham and Southend's National League play-off final at Wembley. If you want 5ft Christmas trees in the forest to grow into mighty Scots pines, you have to look after the saplings.
So no offence to Paris Saint-Germain or Internazionale, but their little tiff in Munich is on the undercard. Having said that, PSG beat all four English clubs on their crusade to the Champions League final.
They were too good for Manchester City, magnificent against Liverpool, clung on in a storm at Villa Park and clinical against Arsenal, a body of work which suggests they will at last land the finest holy grail money can buy.
Inter's semi-final romps with Barcelona were spellbinding, and they will not come quietly in the court of Harry Kane. It's as much a toss-up as the big one between Shrimpers and Latics, but I have a sneaking feeling that joie de vivre will just about pip la dolce vita and it's PSG's time to shine.
PSG 2-1 Inter Milan
Simon Mullock
It's the Premier League killers against the team that refuses to die - and the 2025 Champions League final has all the ingredients to be a cracker. Paris Saint-Germain are the bookies' favourites to become the 24th club to have their name engraved on the trophy with the big ears after beating Manchester City in the group stages and then eliminating Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal on the road to Munich.
The French champions have grown as a team since ditching the baggage carried by Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, yet still have individual brilliance in the guise of Ousman Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue. But it's impossible to write off an Inter team bidding to become European champions for the fourth time after the way they came back from the dead to beat Barcelona in the game of this or any tournament in the semi-finals.
I'm taking the young pretenders to prevail over European royalty.
PSG 3-2 Inter Milan
Oli Gamp
I'm backing PSG to win their first ever Champions League title this weekend. It should be a very tight affair in Munich between two teams that weren't picked by anyone to get to this stage.
But I can see PSG edging it to complete what has been a rollercoaster journey to winning Europe's elite competition, the trophy they have craved since Qatar Sports Investments took over in 2011. After 14 years, the club could finally realise their dream - without superstars like Neymar, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in the side.
Luis Enrique has simplified things by giving his side balance - developing stars like Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue. Meanwhile, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is quickly becoming one of the world's most exciting talents and Ousmane Dembele is flourishing too. They come into this game off the back of winning Ligue 1 and the French Cup and that momentum will be crucial.
Inter have won this competition three times and lost the final in 2023. They're a top side and have done superbly to get here once again, but I think it will be PSG's night.
PSG 1-0 Inter Milan
Tom Victor
With the exception of the odd half-hour spell here and there, Paris Saint-Germain have looked untouchable in the knockout stages of the Champions League. Even when they were beaten at home by Liverpool, they put in the kind of performance that would lead to victory nine times out of 10.
Inter Milan's great strength in the early part of the competition came in defence, but this is something they'll find it hard to replicate against an attack as stacked as that of their opponents. Their best bet might be embracing full chaos, as they did against Barcelona in the semis.
Ultimately, though, it's hard to look past that PSG frontline. Ousmane Dembele has arguably been the standout player in the competition, and Champions League glory would feel deserved for someone who has embraced his status as the main man since Kylian Mbappe's exit.
Inter should find a way to get on the scoresheet, but their opponents have the goods to keep coming at them for as long as they need to get the job done.
PSG 3-1 Inter Milan
Scott Trotter
Paris Saint-Germain have been the standout, most exciting attacking team in the competition... well if you ignore a certain semi-final between Inter Milan and Barcelona. The Serie A giants went from being stingy in defence to to offering more goalscoring drama than two legs can handle as they battled for a place in the final.
And despite some difficultis against Aston Villa, perhaps its the French side who have proven more resolute in their backline during the knockout stages. Regardless, quite the clash awaits. And the question is do you back a team of expensively assembled youth against a side that includes some players the Premier League had long ago written off?
Unfortunately, I don't think a repeat of Inter's clash against Barca awaits, but there should still be some brilliant football. Seeing how Simeone Inzaghi looks to counter the fluidity offered by PSG's forwards and the space created to them will be fascinating.
But it might, finally, be PSG's time.
PSG 2-1 Inter Milan
Daniel Orme
Inter Milan have been here before: un-fancied in a Champions League final. And they've actually ended up winning it. But it's not quite been that way recently having lost their last two European finals. Of course, PSG have never managed to get the crown but it might potentially be their turn this season.
If the irresistible Ousmane Dembele is on top form, it's really tricky seeing Inter Milan keeping him quiet. Of course, the Italians are more than capable of finding the net having been named top scorers in Serie A. But PSG have been the best side in the Champions League this season - and they should have enough to get over the line.
PSG 3-1 Inter Milan
Nathan Ridley
Reading through these predictions, we've got a clear favourite in the house: PSG. But while I understand every argument, I'm sticking to my guns and going Inter Milan.
I've backed Simone Inzaghi and Co. since the start of the competition and my confidence has grown at every stage. They've got the know-how, intelligence and quality from back to front to win the biggest matches, and if not for Romelu Lukaku's blunders in Istanbul, they could've beaten Manchester City two years ago.
And while it feels like PSG's year to many, don't forget that the Nerazzurri also seem to believe that their name is on the trophy - and for good reason. Francesco Acerbi's stoppage-time equaliser against Barcelona was the stuff of dreams and I think they're in for another magical night in Munich, leaving PSG heartbroken once again.
PSG 0-1 Inter Milan
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Celtic transfer clock is ticking on hot prospect as ghost of missed target hovers
It's difficult to judge a player when they are up against the international equivalent of the Dog and Duck pub team. Lennon Miller produced an impressive performance on his fist Scotland start against Liechtenstein – but it wasn't anything we didn't already know. Everyone is well aware of how good a player he is and it was clear he was levels above the opposition the other night. And it's also now obvious Celtic are going to have to get their skates on if they want to sign him. The clock is ticking – and the fee is rising. It's going to continue to rise by the week by the looks of it, and the longer it goes on, the more danger there is they will miss out. Fans will be fearing the ghost of John McGinn is hovering over the club again. No one will forget the fallout when they missed out on the midfielder when he was at Hibs and he ended up at Aston Villa. Brendan Rodgers wasn't happy at the time, especially when the cost was relatively low. McGinn was a top player back then but in fairness, I don't think many would have predicted he'd go on to captain Villa and lead them to the Champions League. But he'll always be the one that got away – and it could be the same with Miller. The circumstances are different with these players though and times have changed. McGinn was a bit older while Miller is not even 19 years-old yet. And I also suspect this time it will be down to whether Rodgers can see a role and a path for him at Parkhead. He certainly fits the bill when it comes to the profile of player Celtic go for and the club's model. Miller is already established but he's got bags of potential and development to come. Motherwell know it as well and they are right to hold out for top money. It's up to Celtic to meet their valuation. I always get impatient when it comes to these things. I know how football works and I know it can take time. But why risk things not working out? If he's a player they want, go and get him. It will only end up costing them in the long run. You look at the £11m spent on Arne Engels – another prospect – and the £9m on Adam Idah, and it's clear they are not scared to spend money. So if it costs £5m or £6m to land Miller – just go and do it. There is an argument about who he'd replace in the side and if he'd get game time immediately. Is he going to oust Reo Hatate or Engels, will he even go ahead of Luke McCowan after a solid first season and what would that mean for Paulo Bernardo, who has looked decent but had a poor end to the season? But from what you hear from Miller, he's a confident lad and he'd back himself to break into the side. And if that's the case and he does the business, then it would be a bargain. His value won't go down, that's for sure. Even if it didn't work out, it's hardly a disaster. Celtic have the money and they spent similar amounts on guys like Vasilis Barkas – and look how that went. I don't see it as a similar risk. Miller has already shown he can do it in Scotland and you'd imagine he'd reach greater heights training with better players every day. Celtic need to be careful because even if it gets to £8m or £10m, that's the kind of money found down the back of most EPL couches. Sunderland have been linked already but he shouldn't be tempted by that one. They'll go straight back down and would he rather be in the Champions League or the Championship? It's a no brainer for me. Celtic should be targeting the best homegrown talents, to add to the likes of Callum McGregor, James Forrest, Anthony Ralston and now Kieran Tierney, and it gives the team a Scottish core. The return of Tierney is a major boost. Listen, we know he's had injury issues and that is going to be a question mark. But there is absolutely no doubting his quality. If he stays fit he'll be a brilliant signing, it's as simple as that. There is a need for a strong back up though, just going on recent evidence. Tierney isn't going to play every minute of a 55 game season. He's just not. That means there needs to be a more than capable left back on the books to slot in some weeks or come off the bench. Greg Taylor would have been ideal but it looks like that ship has sailed, so Celtic need to address it. There's a few other matters to tackle as well. It looks like Celtic have cranked up a gear this week and there are several irons in the fire – with a lot of wingers linked with the club. The key is getting the deals done quickly. This is not a summer to be messing around, with the Champions League qualifier on the horizon. Lessons – like the McGinn one – have to be learned and if Rodgers has a vision for Miller then the club needs to get the chequebook out and make it happen.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
DAZN is airing every FIFA Club World Cup game live and free
Some of the biggest teams from the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1 and Serie A are among those in the USA for the new-and-improved FIFA Club World Cup, including Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid and PSG. The Premier League may be over for the summer, but there's something new on the way to help plug the football gap until next season. On Saturday (June 14), the revamped FIFA Club World Cup will kick off in the USA, pitting the world's best club sides against one another in a month-long tournament. It marks the first Club World Cup in its new and expanded format, with the competition now featuring 32 of the world's best clubs from the six continental confederations. There are teams from the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A, and MLS, to name a few. There will be a total of 63 fixtures from June 14 through to the final on July 13. Flying the flag for the Brits are Manchester City and Chelsea, alongside European titans like Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich. But what sets the competition apart from the UEFA Champions League is that these teams will also compete against many more from around the globe, with the likes of Inter Miami, Al-Hilal, Boca Juniors and Auckland City all taking part. As well as big teams, there's also some big names set to feature, including Lional Messi, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé. Each of the competition's 32 teams have been split into eight groups of four, with the top two from each group progressing into the knock-out stages. The Club World Cup is being hosted by 12 US stadiums including New Jersey's MetLife Stadium and Los Angeles' iconic Rose Bowl Stadium. This means there will be a time difference for fans tuning in from the UK, with the first game scheduled to kick off at 1am BST on Sunday, January 15, between Egyptian side Al Ahly and Inter Miami. However, fans hoping to catch all the action will be able to stream every single fixture for free on DAZN, and we've got all the information needed to do so below. How to stream every Club World Cup game for free DAZN is the exclusive global broadcaster of the FIFA Club World Cup, with fans able to stream all 63 fixtures live if they set up a free DAZN account. There's also the option to upgrade to DAZN's Premium plan, with 30-day rolling or 12-month options available from £9.99 thanks to a new limited-time offer. Premium subscribers can stream all the Club World Cup action with HDR picture quality and Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound, plus highlights, replays, fewer adverts and full access to the rest of the DAZN platform. Both the free and paid-for subscriptions also provide access to a plethora of documentaries, features and classic clips from tournaments gone by, as well as closer looks at the top players and host cities. Fans can also set their account to follow certain teams and players from the latest competition so they don't miss any of the action, and keep up to date with the current standings with up-to-date group tables. DAZN has confirmed its punditry team will include Brazilian legend Ronaldo, John Obi Mikel, Sami Khedira and many more, with Conor McNamara, Andros Townsend, Brad Friedel, Rob Green among the commentators. DAZN can be accessed at home or on the go with the DAZN App on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, games consoles, streaming devices and any device with a web browser. The only way to catch every Club World Cup fixture is by registering with DAZN. For those who don't want to sign up for another subscription, DAZN has also sublicensed select fixtures to Channel 5, meaning 23 games will be broadcast on both DAZN and 5. This may be a good option for less tech-savvy football fans who are not bothered about every game. When does the Club World Cup start? The Club World Cup is scheduled to kick off at 1am UK BST on Sunday, January 15, with Al Ahly and Inter Miami facing off at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium. For those following the Premier League teams, here are Chelsea and Man City's group stage fixtures: Chelsea Chelsea vs LAFC – June 16, 8pm KO Flamengo vs Chelsea – June 20, 7pm KO Espérance de Tunis vs Chelsea – June 25, 2am KO Manchester City Man City vs Wydad AC – June 18, 5pm KO Man City vs Al Ain – June 23, 2am KO Juventus vs Man City – June 26, 8pm KO The Club World Cup runs through to the final on July 13. Fans can register with DAZN here to watch every game live and for free.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
FIFA Club World Cup prize money and exact amount all 32 clubs will earn
Chelsea, Manchester City and a number of other European big guns are ready for the controversial Club World Cup and despite criticism huge sums of money are on offer Many players are unhappy to be competing, at least one Premier League manager has said he will not be tuning in and tickets are six times cheaper than initially advertised because fans are so unenthused. But one thing that cannot be sniffed at in FIFA's controversial 32-team Club World Cup is the $1bn prize pot with the winners expected to pocket about £100m - roughly the same as the Champions League winners for fewer than half of the games. And without such riches being dangled in front of them it is fair to question whether Europe's big guns would have committed in the first place. 'The distribution model of the FIFA Club World Cup reflects the pinnacle of club football and represents the biggest-ever prize money for a football tournament comprising a seven-match group stage and playoff format with a potential payout of $125m foreseen for the winners,' Gianni Infantino said in typical understated fashion when announcing the distribution model. Here is what each team is set to earn over the coming four weeks, broken into a performance pillar of $475m (£350m) and a participation pillar of $525m (£386m). Performance pillar The format is the same as the real World Cup - well, until that is changed next summer - with an impressive $2m prize in every group stage game with the winner taking it all and a draw split evenly. Reaching the round of 16 will see clubs earn an additional $7.5m, quarter-finalists will get $13.125m, the four semi-finalists pocket another $21m with the beaten finalists getting $30m and the champions earning $40m alongside a trophy with Infantino's name scratched on. Group stage $2m (£1.47m) for a win $1m (£740,000) for draw per club Round of 16 $7.5m (£5.5m) Quarter-final $13.125m (£9.67m) Semi-final $21m (£15.46m) Finalist $30m (£22.1m) Winner $40m (£29.46m) Participation pillar But even if your team has a stinker and bows out after three group stage fixtures, simply turning up will prove worthwhile. All 32 clubs will get a base payment based on their rankings and federation with the UEFA sides on a sliding scale based upon what FIFA called 'sporting and commercial criteria.' Europe $12.81-38.19m (£9.43m-£28.12m) South America $15.21m (£11.2m) North, Central America & Caribbean $9.55m (£7.03m) Asia $9.55m (£7.03m) Africa $9.55m (£7.03m) Oceania $3.58m (£2.64m) Global football FIFA also say that the CWC will see 'an unprecedented solidarity investment programme' with 'a target of an additional $250m being provided to club football across the world ' - though exact details around how that is being distributed are unclear. Infantino said: 'This solidarity will undoubtedly provide a significant boost in our ongoing efforts in making football truly global.'
