3 days ago
Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain face off in Champions League final: Live updates
Update:
Date: 8 min ago
Title: CNN Sports back in Munich's Allianz Arena after 2014 trip
Content:
I'm not saying it's a long time since I last visited the Allianz, but… anyone remember the fringe?!
It was January 2014 when Bayern was the defending European champion – having beaten German rival Dortmund in the 2013 final at Wembley.
I spoke to Jérôme Boateng, Thiago Alcântara, Manuel Neuer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge at the time – the headline on CNN at the time: 'How Bayern Munich became the world's best team.'
Well, it wasn't quite to be this year in what was meant to be the Bayern Munich final – as far as fans here in the city were concerned.
It was set to be a fairytale moment for Harry Kane to celebrate his first piece of European silverware and Thomas Müller's final fling in a Bayern shirt at the German giant's home stadium.
It proved, though, a step too far for Vincent Kompany's side – relatively comfortably knocked out by Inter in the quarterfinal.
In truth, history was never on its side – no team has ever lifted Ol' Big Ears at their home ground.
Update:
Date: 12 min ago
Title: Inter fans all over the city, but many don't have tickets
Content:
There are definitely more Inter fans in Munich than there are allocated seats in the stadium, with many planning on watching the match at the Fan Festivals around the city.
Martin and Lorenzo are just two Inter supporters who made the journey just to be in the same city as the match.
Both spoke to CNN Sports while waiting outside a hotel which was rumored to be hosting some legends from the game.
'It is really, really exciting. We are from Italy and took a bus for seven hours to be here just for the match. We are going back home tonight. We are really, really excited for this,' Martin, 21, told CNN Sports.
'We arrived and saw Inter fans singing and screaming so it was amazing.'
Both friends are predicting an Inter win, with Lorenzo – apparently the bigger fan out of the two – hoping for a 2-1 victory.
Update:
Date: 9 min ago
Title: CNN Sports has just about arrived at the Allianz Arena
Content:
It feels like the entire city is currently traveling to the stadium at once, with roads almost at a standstill around the Allianz Arena.
Despite being more than two hours from kickoff, many fans are ditching their taxis to walk (and I did the same).
Despite the chaos, it all feels well managed and the mood among fans is good as they make their way up the long walkway to the arena.
The sun is shining, the supporters are singing and the stage is almost set.
Update:
Date: 17 min ago
Title: PSG fans travel far and wide to be in Munich
Content:
While Inter fans occupied Munich's Old Town, thousands of PSG supporters were just a short walk away in the club's fanzone.
The Parisian side organized a day of festivities, including the chance to hear from former players and meet each other before the big game.
Over 50 different PSG fan clubs from across the world were in attendance, with one supporter coming from as far as Costa Rica.
'It's insane, we still don't really understand what is happening. It's crazy!' giddy PSG fan Clement told CNN Sports from inside the festival when asked how it feels to be in Munich.
He and his two friends, Thomas and Ludovic, are all predicting a PSG win. But, of course, they are…
Meanwhile, friends Antoine and Yanis are both enjoying the 'great energy' inside the city despite not having a ticket for the game itself.
Yanis has lived in Germany for the last two months and invited his friend Antoine to the city as soon as PSG won the semifinals.
'I think it's going to be an open game, with a lot of action, but hopefully, our team is going to win,' Yanis, 23, told CNN Sports.
Update:
Date: 17 min ago
Title: A walk through Munich on the morning of this year's Champions League final
Content:
It's a glorious day here in Germany, with the sun beating down on the beautiful city of Munich.
The streets were packed with Inter and PSG fans this morning, all eager to soak up the atmosphere ahead of tonight's big game.
The beer, unsurprisingly, was flowing earlier than normal with groups of fans gathering around bars to serenade the passing crowds with their club's respective anthems.
Walk around Munich's Old Town and you'd think you'd stumbled into Milan given the sheer numbers of supporters who have traveled to watch their side.
The PSG faithful are doing their bit though, with fans of each team singing and taking photos with each other.
Spare a thought, though, for the tourists who perhaps didn't realize there was the final being held today – it's hard to learn about Bavarian history when a giant Inter flag has been unfurled in your face.
Update:
Date: 18 min ago
Title: How PSG earned its way to the Allianz Arena
Content:
It all turned out pretty well for Paris Saint-Germain despite a less than impressive start to this year's Champions League campaign.
The French side looked to struggle with the new league stage format in the early going, losing three out of its first five matches.
But three wins in Les Parisiens' remaining group games meant PSG qualified for the play-ins, where the team thrashed French side Brest 10-0 on aggregate over two legs.
The squad then started to grow in the knockout stages, first beating tournament favorite Liverpool on penalties, before dispatching Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate in the quarterfinals.
Then came yet another English Premier League side in Arsenal but PSG made light work of the north London club, winning both legs to secure a 3-1 aggregate win.
Now, just Inter Milan stands between PSG and the club's first ever European Cup.
Update:
Date: 18 min ago
Title: It's game day! CNN Sports has all you need for the Champions League final
Content:
We are finally here, the day of the men's Champions League final.
It's the place every soccer star wants to be but only a select few ever experience. It's now time to decide this year's winner.
History awaits Paris-Saint Germain as its players look to secure the club's first ever European Cup – something which has been an obsession for the current ownership and the team's supporters.
For three-time winner Inter Milan, it's another chance to crown itself the king of European soccer and to write another chapter in the Italian club's storied history.
CNN Sports has been in Munich for the past few days and witnessed the atmosphere building. It's now just three hours until kickoff in arguably the biggest match in the sport.
Tune in to World Sport at 1 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. Munich to get all the latest in the build-up from SJA Broadcast Journalist of the Year Amanda Davies, who has been speaking to Italian soccer expert James Horncastle and French soccer expert Julien Laurens on where they think the game will be won and lost.
You'll also hear from two previous Champions League winners in Rio Ferdinand and Steve McManaman on their first-hand experiences of playing in and winning the final.
Stick with us throughout the day, for everything you need to know.
