Latest news with #SennyMayulu
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Inter Milan's outclassed old men left to mourn the death of a Champions League dream
Reach a certain age and it isn't uncommon to develop a greater interest in history. Inter Milan's old-timers made it: the heaviest defeat ever in a European Cup or Champions League final, a rout still greater than the spectacular scorelines in 1960, 1974, 1989 and 1994, a thrashing that removed two of AC Milan's routs from the record books. This was a performance that will echo through the ages. Not by them, however, but to them. Inter conceded three goals to teenagers, Desire Doue's double followed by the historic fifth from Senny Mayulu. Advertisement Inter are old. It isn't a secret. Barcelona and Bayern Munich probably noticed it, and Arsenal and Manchester City before them. Yet only Paris Saint-Germain succeeded in making them look old. The newest champions of Europe won a generation game so emphatically and dramatically it felt like a case of elder abuse. PSG celebrate after tearing Inter apart (Getty Images) In a Champions League final of opposites – European Cup winners in the 1960s against the club not founded until 1970, bargain buys against big spenders, old against young – the team built for the future discovered their time is now. The side trying to resist the passing of time were overwhelmed by the waves of Parisian attacks. The biggest game of their lives proved one of the worst. It finished with them stood, heads bowed, in front of an emptying away end. Inter are left bereft by defeat (AP) Their throwback campaign ended with Inter dominated and demoralised. No one else had done this to them, to the obdurate old-timers. Their only defeat in 14 European games this season had come to Bayer Leverkusen. Go on consistency of results in Europe and group-stage finish and they might have been deemed favourites. Yet PSG's 2025 surge has shown a team on the rise, a side imbued with talent and explosiveness. Advertisement Then there was Inter, carrying the hopes of everyone who is desperate for their best days to not be confined to the past. On average this side was 30 years and 19 days old, more than a decade the senior of Doue. A man born after the 2005 Champions League final struck twice in the 2025 showpiece. He was a symbolic scorer. PSG showed the merits of youth and pace. Inter were outnumbered on the flanks, overpowered in midfield. There was room behind their defence, outside it, anywhere and everywhere. It was not a day to espouse the merits of the 3-5-2 formation. Not when Inter seemed to have fewer players in every part of the pitch. That is what speed can do. Inter's positional sense proved no asset when subjected to an assault. They were scythed apart by a team too slick and quick for them. PSG scythed Inter apart, with 18-year-old Senny Mayulu scoring the fifth (Getty Images) Desire Doue, 19, is sublime for the Parisians (Reuters) PSG made their trademark fast start; they have scored in the first dozen minutes against each of Liverpool, Aston Villa, Arsenal and Inter in the knockout stages. But they sustained it, too. Advertisement Behind for only 16 minutes in the Champions League, Inter trailed after 12 and were two down after 20, five adrift after 90. If their strategy was to use their experience to stay in the game, it was destroyed by the relentlessness of PSG's running, by the elusiveness of Doue and Ousmane Dembele, by the combination of confidence and class. And, not least, by Vitinha's capacity to play penetrative forward passes with deceptive ease. One brought Doue's second goal. Another produced PSG's first. The scorer, Achraf Hakimi, was one of the players Inter sold in the cost-cutting as Steven Zhang's ownership unravelled, as Antonio Conte's spending spree required a return. And yet, four years later, those past financial problems bit Inter, courtesy of a club whose budget can seem limitless. Hakimi was apologetic; PSG's later celebrations were far more emphatic. In fairness, Denzel Dumfries, Hakimi's replacement, was a rarity in bringing dynamism to this Inter team. Yet Inter's wing-backs are often a strength; PSG used the space behind them to turn them into a weakness. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the more charismatic of dribblers, ran at Dumfries. PSG had still more joy on the opposite flank, helped by the ability to transfer the ball from one wing to another. Denzel Dumfries replaced Achraf Hakimi at Inter but endured defeat (Getty Images) And this was a disaster for Federico Dimarco, the Interista; he has a Scudetto tattoo, but he may never need a Champions League one. Hakimi escaped behind him for the first goal; he deflected in Doue's shot for the second. Perhaps it didn't help Dimarco that the left of Inter's midfield trio was 36-year-old Henrikh Mkhitaryan, a player so old he was born behind the Iron Curtain. Advertisement But still younger than Francesco Acerbi, who was down on his haunches after Kvaratskhelia made it four. A 37-year-old required protection but Inter were ragged, wretched. It seemed a belated recognition of their problems when manager Simone Inzaghi's first changes were to bring on players aged 23 and 24 yet the latter, Yann Bisseck, was promptly hamstrung. Inzaghi was dressed, as ever, like a minor character from The Sopranos at a funeral. As Inter unravelled, he could mourn the death of a dream.
The Sun
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
TNT Sports left ‘feeling sorry for Inter Milan' as key feature disappears from Champions League final broadcast
FANS are convinced TNT Sports "felt sorry" for Inter Milan as they fell apart in the Champions League final. The Serie A side were demolished 5-0 in a humiliating defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in Munich. 2 PSG won their first-ever CL title as Simone Inzaghi's men failed to turn up. And one moment in the broadcast had fans speculating on social media during the game. Late in the second half, with PSG leading 4-0, TNT 's coverage suddenly stopped displaying the scoreboard on screen. The Ligue 1 side were preparing a host of subs with the game already won and drifting towards a conclusion. And TNT's brief technical error was framed as an act of compassion from some on X. One fan laughed: "Has TNT just got rid of the scoreboard to not embarrass Inter?" While a third joked: "The domination is so bad that TNT stops showing the scoreline." And a fourth added: "They're beating Inter so bad they turned the scoreboard off!" The scoreboard returned to normal around a minute after disappearing. Awkward moment Simone Inzaghi is asked worst question ever as Inter Milan are compared to 'broken shopping bag' But things would only get worse for the Nerazzurri, who conceded a fifth as substitute Senny Mayulu netted late on. Inter boss Inzaghi looked shell-shocked on the touchline as his side failed to deal with PSG's pace and power. He told reporters: "This wasn't my Inter, you saw how it looked out there, but I'm still proud of my players. "We ran into a team that was simply better than us. Regardless of that, we should have played better, but we didn't. "Our approach to the match was poor, and we made PSG's job easier. They beat us to every ball. "After the first goal we conceded, nothing was in our hands anymore. We let in goals like we never had before. "We all had to do better - myself above all. We're angry and disappointed with how we played."
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Desire Doue's Historic Champions League Final Goal Overtakes a Lionel Messi Record
Desire Doue's Historic Champions League Final Goal Overtakes a Lionel Messi Record originally appeared on Athlon Sports. PSG's young star, Desire Doue, made history in the Champions League final when he scored the French team's second goal against Inter Milan. The 19-year-old broke records with his goal, which puts him among many legends of the game. Advertisement Before the game even started, Doue became the youngest French player to start in a Champions League Final. When he scored in the 20th minute, Doue became the fourth youngest player to score in a Champions League final. His record was overtaken by his teammate Senny Mayulu in PSG's 5-0 win against Inter. He is among many legends of the game who have achieved this. Players like Lionel Messi, Carlos Alberto, and Patrick Kluivert have scored in a Champions League Final at a very young age. Youngest Goal Scorers in the Champions League Final (Squawka) Patrick Kluivert (18Y 10M 23D) Senny Mayulu (19Y 14D) Carlos Alberto (19Y 5M 15D) Désiré Doué (19Y 11M 28D) Lars Ricken (20Y 10M 18D) Vini Jr (21Y 10M 16D) Lionel Messi (21Y 11M 3D) Two Goal Contributions In One Half Doue not only scored in the Champions League Final against Inter, but he also provided the assist for the opener. Doue's goal and assist make him the youngest ever player to do that in a UCL final. Advertisement Doue's total contributions in Ligue 1 this season are six goals and eight assists in 31 matches. In 16 matches in the Champions League for PSG, Doue has four goals and four assists. This is Doue's first season with PSG, and he has already put himself as the future of the club with this performance, along with the other games before the final. He turns 20 in three days and will be seen by French fans as a key player ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Doue's Second Goal Seals His Historic Night As if Doue's night didn't get better, he scored PSG's third goal in the second half to give them a 3-0 lead. Ousmane Dembele's flick to Vitinha led to a lethal counterattack to surprise Inter. Vitinha gives a perfect pass to Doue in the box. The 19-year-old finishes the ball past Yann Sommer in the near post. The teenager takes his shirt off in front of the loud and passionate PSG fans, who explode with joy. Advertisement Doue is the youngest to score two goals in a Champions League Final. Only five other players have scored a brace in a Champions League Final. Doue is also the only player in history to contribute to three goals in a UCL Final. Players Who Scored Two Goals in a UCL Final Hernan Crespo (04/05) Filippo Inzaghi (06/07) Diego Milito (09/10) Cristiano Ronaldo (16/17) Gareth Bale (17/18) Désiré Doué (24/25) Related: Neymar Explains Champions League Lore Ahead of PSG vs Inter Final Related: Champions League Final Could Trigger $28M Coach Move and Blockbuster Teen Signing This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
The smile of PSG's Senny Mayulu that says everything about Champions League glory
Knees pumping, hands waving and the happiest face you could imagine. Senny Mayulu looked like a child running through a playground imitating his hero, only to realise that this was the Champions League final and the hero was… him. The midfielder from Le Blanc-Mesnil, a town in the northeastern suburbs of Paris, turned 19 two weeks ago and surely wished for a moment like this to happen when he woke up in Munich on Saturday morning at the Paris Saint-Germain team hotel. Advertisement The disbelief and utter joy oozing through him when he made it 5-0 against Inter just two minutes after coming on in the 84th minute suggested even if he had dreamt this, he still couldn't quite believe the reality. His eyes waxed as wide as two full moons, he was trying to absorb a moment written in the stars. Look at the reaction from Senny Mayulu 😅 The homegrown PSG teen comes off the bench and bags a goal in the Champions League final… and you can see what it means to him and the squad 💙 — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 31, 2025 [For readers in U.S.] 'I had stars in my eyes because it was a childhood dream come true,' Mayulu said, when signing his first professional contract with PSG a year ago. He was describing his first start at the Parc des Princes back in April 2024. 'When you're a child, you see the players on the pitch. And now to be able to fulfil that dream is incredible.' Mayulu joined PSG's academy at under-13s level less than seven years ago. Before joining PSG he played grassroots football for Saint-Denis US and later AF Epinay-sur-Seine. His smile was already there when Bradley Barcola returned the ball to him a few yards from goal. He blasted it past Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer as the flags of the PSG Ultras heaved through the Munich night and flapped like Mayulu's arms, both rushing towards a long-awaited first European Cup. Eventually, Mayulu — whose older brother Fally Mayulu plays for Sturm Graz in Austria, on loan from English Championship side Bristol City — was enveloped by his team-mates as well as the substitutes he had been sitting with just a few minutes earlier. They pulled him in like it was a game of Hungry Hungry Hippos and he was the last marble they needed to catch. After all, this was a game and Mayulu's improvisation reminded us of that. Advertisement Mayulu took a cutting from the net at the Allianz Arena to remember his goal by — even though he is unlikely to ever forget it. Just under a year ago, he was scoring in the national title final for PSG under-19s as they defeated Auxerre. He is now the second youngest player (19 years, 14 days) after Patrick Kluivert (18 years, 327 days) to score a goal in a Champions League final. And while fellow teenager Desire Doue (19 years, 362 days) stole the show with three goal contributions (two goals and one assist), Mayulu's astonishment painted a lasting image. Millions watching around the world got to see what it looks like when someone's dream comes true. When he and another academy player, Yoram Zague, starred for PSG in a 1-1 draw against Clermont Foot in April 2024, Mayulu's first home start, Luis Enrique congratulated the duo for the part they played. 'They're from here. They belong to us,' Enrique, now a two-time Champions League winning manager, said. 'They've been at the club for many years and we want them to be important.' Even though his goal did not win the game against Inter, Mayulu was still important — and a symbol of the emphasis his coach has put on the team rather than individuals. The France under-20s player, who will be playing in the Maurice Revello tournament which starts on June 3, also believes it is not about single moments or solo magic. Speaking on May 17, his 19th birthday, after PSG's final home league game of the season, a 3-1 win over Auxerre, he said it is 'always important to win' when playing for the 13-time Ligue 1 champions. 'We play every match in the same way, we want to win them all,' he said. 'It allows us to prepare well for what's next.' And Mayulu, who is of DR Congolese descent, was prepared. The movement from the edge of the box, the link-up with Barcola and the simmering finish said so. Maybe it helped that he has scored that goal before. His first Ligue 1 goal back in October 2024 came against Strasbourg, was assisted similarly by Barcola and struck from a similar angle. But the celebration for that moment was rehearsed and calm. It was a knee slide Mayulu had performed before. He knew his Ligue 1 goal would come. Scoring in a Champions League final on the other hand, was unexpected. That is way it gave way to a moment of the purest joy. 5️⃣ A first to remember for Senny Mayulu PSG vs. Strasbourg. Minute 18. Mayulu bags his first Ligue 1 goal! Dreams do come true 🙌 — Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) November 17, 2024 The irony is that the night kicked off with Achraf Hakimi tapping home the opener but largely muting his celebrations against his former club. While Hakimi was respectful, Mayulu was verklempt. A year ago he signed a deal that will keep him at PSG until at least 2027, a moment he called 'a real source of pride' for himself and his family. The goal and winner's medal will now be an endless source. 'If I'm meant to get my chance, I'm going to get it and I'm going to try to take it,' he said, speaking last May when he signed his contract. Now it is June 2025 and the boy who started playing football 14 years ago is all grown up. He told us he was going to take his chance, and he did. Though he never said anything about how he would react when he took it. For once, Mayulu was not prepared — but the spontaneity was beautiful.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Inter aim for Champions League glory in second final in three years
Luis Enrique 'emotional' at tribute to his daughter after Champions League win Luis Enrique admitted he was 'very emotional' as Paris St Germain fans paid a touching tribute to his late daughter after the French club claimed a record Champions League final victory to win the trophy for the first time. PSG routed Inter Milan 5-0 in Munich as Desire Doue's double, as well as goals from Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and substitute Senny Mayulu, secured a historic treble for the French league and cup winners. 0:59 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
