Champions League: PSG's Road to Final at Munich Football Arena

Time of India

4 days ago

French giants Paris Saint-Germain have been quite impressive in the Champions League 2024/25 season, making their presence felt especially in the knockouts. The Luis Enrique-led side overcame early jitters in the league stage to mount a comeback when it mattered the most.
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PSG will face Inter Milan in the tournament's final, marking the first match in the competition's history between the sides.
Here's a look at PSG's route to the Champions League 2024/25 final:
1. PSG vs Girona (PSG win 1-0)
The Luis Enrique-led side struggled to get the job done in their opening match, with the strikers especially unable to convert chances. PSG were lucky to get a win following an error by Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga in added time.
Gazzaniga failed to stop a low shot by full-back Nuno Mendes, gifting the French side three points.
2. Arsenal vs PSG (Arsenal win 2-0)
PSG suffered their maiden loss in the ongoing Champions League season, following a sloppy display against Arsenal. Kai Havertz and Bakayo Saka scored in the 20th and 35th minutes, handing Arsenal an early lead which eventually proved enough. Enrique admitted that his side lost almost every single duel.
3. PSG vs PSV (1-1 draw)
The French side failed to get back to winning ways in their next Champions League match, recording a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands side.
Achraf Hakimi scored the equaliser in the 55th minute following Noa Lang's goal in the 34th minute. "We created plenty of chances but the ball just didn't want to go in," said Hakimi summing up PSG's dismal luck.
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4. PSG vs Atletico Madrid (Atletico win 2-1)
PSG suffered a 1-2 loss against Spanish side Atletico Madrid, further extending their winless run. PSG's Warren Zaïre-Emery scored the opener in the 14th minute, handing his team an early lead. However, Nahuel Molina and Angel Correa took advantage of some lacklustre defending to help their side pull off a comeback win.
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5. Bayern Munich vs PSG (Bayern win 1-0)
Bayern Munich recorded a 1-0 win against the French side, relegating PSG to their second consecutive loss. Bayern defender Minjae Kim scored the winner in the 38th minute. A red card for PSG attacker Ousmane Dembele certainly didn't help matters as Bayern held on to pull off a vital win.
6. RB Salzburg vs PSG (0-3 win for PSG)
Goncalo Ramos, Nuno Mendes and Désiré Doué stepped up to help PSG get back to winning ways, scoring in the 30th, 72nd and 85th minutes.
Ramos delivered after being signed for a hefty sum, making his presence felt. "It was very important for us to win the match, to get the three points," said Enrique.
7. PSG vs Manchester City (4-2 win for PSG)
The winning run continued for the French giants as they pulled off a prolific triumph against City. Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland handed the English side a strong lead by scoring in the 50th and 53rd minutes. However, Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Joao Neves and Ramos scored in quick succession to help their side record an important win.
8. VfB Stuttgart vs PSG (1-4 win for PSG)
Dembele scored the first hat-trick for PSG in the ongoing Champions League season, helping his team dominate following an early goal by Barcola. The win proved crucial as the French side soared into the knockouts.
9. Brest vs PSG (10-0 win for PSG on aggregate in playoff round)
The French side pulled off a 10-0 win on aggregate over two legs, pulling off a 3-0 win in the first leg with a 7-0 triumph in the second match. There were seven different goal scorers for PSG in the second leg, showcasing the variety in attack.
Dembele scored a brace in the first leg.
10. PSG defeat Liverpool 4-1 on penalties in Round of 16 stage
PSG faced their first real test in the knockouts, recording a 0-1 defeat in the first leg. However, Dembele stepped up with an early goal in the second match, resulting in a penalty shootout following PSG's 1-0 win. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma emerged as the hero for PSG, saving two penalties. Vitinha, Ramos, Dembele and Doue converted the penalties astutely, helping their side sail through.
11. PSG beat Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate in quarter-finals
The French side overcame a late scare in the second leg to record a 5-4 win on aggregate. While PSG pulled off a 3-1 win in the first leg, Aston Villa made their presence felt in the following encounter with a fighting 3-2 victory. The PSG defenders held on despite Villa trailing by only one goal in the 57th minute of the second leg, ensuring a smooth pathway to the semi-final.
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12. PSG pull off 3-1 aggregate win against Arsenal in semi-final
While the quarter-final against Villa certainly got a bit nervy, PSG dominated proceedings in the semi-final with a 3-1 aggregate win. While Dembele's early goal proved enough in the first leg, Fabian Ruiz and Hakimi drove home the advantage in the second match. Saka's late goal proved insufficient as PSG made amends for their earlier league loss against Arsenal, sailing into the final.