Four years ago, PSG put together a “galactic” team with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé with the sole objective of winning the Champions League, but in both seasons with the Argentine they failed miserably, suffering two eliminations in the round of 16. Messi left for Inter Miami in 2023 and Mbappé was seduced by Real Madrid last year.
But in this 2024-2025 season, Luis Enrique put together a team that doesn’t rely on a single player, but on collective play to qualify PSG for the Champions League final for the second time in its history, after defeating Arsenal 2-1 this Wednesday and closing the semifinal tie with a 3-1 advantage.
Paris Saint-Germain FC will go for their first title in the main European club competition against Inter Milan, on May 31st in Munich.
How did PSG qualify for the final?
After the 0-1 in the first leg in London, PSG had to contain a good start from the English team, but struck with a goal in each half thanks to Spanish player Fabián Ruiz.
In the second half, the Parisian team missed a penalty with Vitinha, but shortly after Achraf Hakimi scored the 2-0 against a weak defense.
The enthusiasm and Luis Enrique’s own team were seen before time in the final, and Arsenal cut the lead through Bukayo Saka who missed a double in a couple of minutes. But Mikel Arteta’s team, who were also seeking their second Champions League final after the one in 2006, fell short.
In those first dominant minutes of Arsenal, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma once again became the standout player.
PSG reached the final in 2020, a tournament that, due to the COVID pandemic, had to be played from the quarterfinals in Portugal, with single matches. There, the Parisians fell 1-0 to Bayern Munich.