The 2024/25 Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan is about more than just the trophy; it is also a fierce duel between the two most influential players: Ousmane Dembélé and Lautaro Martínez. Both players have performed brilliantly throughout the season and are ready to take centre stage at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Saturday night.
Dembélé has had his best season in Europe, scoring eight goals and providing four assists, which makes him the PSG player to have scored the most goals in a single Champions League season.
Meanwhile, Lautaro Martinez is just one goal away from becoming the first Inter player to score ten goals in a single European season. He has already found the net in the last 16, the quarter-finals and the semi-finals, and is now targeting the final.
Under Luis Enrique, who is chasing his second treble after his success with Barcelona in 2015, Dembele has become the driving force behind PSG’s attack. PSG have dominated throughout this season, taking the most shots (1,074), the most shots on target (450) and creating the most big chances (280).
PSG are not only sharp, they are also aggressive in controlling the opponent’s penalty box, recording 2,207 touches in the area — second only to Manchester City. Dembele’s contribution to that offensive performance is a key element that sets PSG apart from their opponents.
Meanwhile, Lautaro spearheaded Inter Milan’s formidable and effective front line throughout the knockout phase. Simone Inzaghi’s team scored at least two goals in every match, including against Barcelona in the semi-finals.
Inter have demonstrated an excellent balance between attack and defence. They have scored 26 goals, equalling the club’s 2002–03 record, and kept eight clean sheets — the most in this season’s Champions League.
Inter’s strong defence is in no small part thanks to the contribution of goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who has recorded seven clean sheets and is the third-highest saving goalkeeper this season.
According to xGOT (expected goals on target) data, Sommer has prevented 5.9 more goals than expected.
In front of Sommer, veteran defender Francesco Acerbi has been solid, even scoring a crucial goal in the semi-finals. Despite being 37, Acerbi remains a first-choice option and a symbol of Inter’s experience, a team that relies on many players aged 30 and over.
PSG, on the other hand, have only one player over 30: captain Marquinhos. The final therefore represents a clash of two different philosophies: a dynamic and youthful PSG against an experienced Inter.
The Dembélé vs. Lautaro duel will symbolise the clash of these two approaches. Dembélé is agile, fast, and unpredictable on the wing, while Lautaro is a deadly predator in the penalty box.
If he scores in the final, he will equal the elite record of players who have scored in all the Champions League knockout stages in a single season. Messi, Ronaldo and Milito have achieved this feat before, and Lautaro could join them now.
Conversely, Dembélé is eager to secure the first Champions League title in PSG’s history. He also has the opportunity to make history by becoming the PSG player to contribute the most goals in a single Champions League season.
According to Opta’s supercomputer, PSG are statistically slightly favoured with a 56.6% chance of winning. Inter have a 43.4% chance of winning, with a 26.4% chance of the match going to extra time and penalties.
Surprisingly, this will be the first final between PSG and Inter, given the long history of the two sides in Europe. Inter have appeared in six finals, winning three titles, while PSG have only appeared once and are still chasing their first.
Interestingly, the last four Champions League finals held in Munich were all won by clubs that won their first title. This includes Nottingham Forest, Marseille and Dortmund, as well as Chelsea, a statistic that may bring hope to PSG.
But Inter are no pushovers. They have only fallen behind in 1.2% of their Champions League games this season and have quickly bounced back whenever they have conceded. Inter’s experience of big games and efficiency could pose a real threat to PSG, who play attractive football but can be careless.
All eyes will be on who proves to be more decisive: Dembélé, the unpredictable runner, or Lautaro, the deadly finisher. This duel between the two key players could determine the outcome of the 2024/25 Champions League. Regardless of who emerges as the hero, the battle in Munich will be an epic chapter in European competition history.
