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Paris Saint-Germain’s journey to the Champions League final is a testament to the club’s shift from relying on star-studded signings to embracing a dynamic and youthful squad under coach Luis Enrique. Historically, PSG have faltered in crucial moments, but this season, their exciting young team has taken Europe by storm.
In a thrilling semi-final at Parc des Princes on Wednesday, PSG secured a 3-1 aggregate win over Arsenal with a 2-1 victory, thanks to goals from Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi. The triumph earned them a spot in the final against Inter Milan in Munich on May 31. Along the way, PSG have defeated several top Premier League teams, including Manchester City, Liverpool, and Aston Villa.
This season, PSG have stood out for their youthful energy, with six of the starting players against Arsenal being 24 or younger. In contrast to their upcoming opponents, Inter Milan, who featured several veteran players, PSG’s squad is full of fresh talent, with Marquinhos, the captain, being the oldest at 30. The result has been electric celebrations in Paris, although the revelry was marred by some instances of violence later in the evening.
Despite an underwhelming start to the season with three losses in their first five Champions League games, PSG have turned things around. This transformation came after the departure of star player Kylian Mbappe and their elimination in last year’s semi-finals to Borussia Dortmund.
With Luis Enrique at the helm since 2023, following the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar, PSG have adopted a new mentality. The coach has instilled a fierce pressing style, transforming the team from one of individual brilliance to a cohesive, hardworking unit. Marquinhos highlighted how the team now plays collectively, where even the forwards contribute to pressing and defending.
PSG’s rise hasn’t been without investment, having spent over 600 million euros in the last two years, including the January signing of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli. These strategic investments have made PSG strong contenders in the competition.
Luis Enrique, who won the Champions League with Barcelona a decade ago, remains focused on making history. He acknowledges the challenge but believes PSG are ready for the final.
This year’s final will be the first since 2004 to feature no teams from Spain, England, or Germany, when Porto triumphed over Monaco. PSG are hoping to avoid a repeat of their 2020 defeat to Bayern Munich in the final. However, they are determined to bring home France’s first Champions League since Marseille’s 1993 victory.
In the lead-up to the final, Enrique emphasised that despite Inter’s experience, PSG’s youthful squad has the potential to achieve something remarkable and secure the club’s first-ever Champions League title.
