Why Galactico-less PSG believe now is ‘their time’ to turn Champions League obsession into reality | OneFootball

French side on the brink of history after so many disappointments and decision to ditch big-name players

Paris Saint-Germain stand on the brink of history as they prepare to face Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday.

For so long, it felt like PSG were cursed in the Champions League.

The past decade has been littered with painful defeats, including their most famous heartbreak in 2017 when they crashed out after blowing a 4-0 first-leg lead by losing 6-1 to Barcelona in the last 16.

There was also defeat in the 2019 final and a semi-final exit last season when they lost 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund after hitting the woodwork a staggering six times across the two legs.

PSG beat Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals and go into Saturday’s final with Inter Milan as favourites

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This season, PSG had looked destined for more Champions League misery after starting their league phase campaign with just one win in their opening five games.

But a brilliant run in the knockout stages, including wins over Liverpool, Aston Villa and then Arsenal, has the Parisians believing this is finally their moment.

“This is the first time I’ve felt so much confidence in the capital,” says French journalist Clément Brossard, who works for beIN Sport, DAZN and RMC Sport.

In their quest for Champions League glory, PSG’s Qatari owners initially spent big on star-name players.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi were all signed to deliver success in Europe.

But the “galacticos” era is over and now they are a different PSG.

Head coach Luis Enrique has a side built around young talent and the new star of PSG is the team.

Luis Enrique has transformed PSG since being appointed two years ago

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“You lost a bit of magic, but the team looks a bit more sound in terms of balance,” said former Arsenal striker and France legend Thierry Henry recently.

Enrique, who inspired Barcelona’s famous comeback against PSG eight years ago, has been at the heart of the change. Appointed two years ago, he pushed for a shift away from star players in favour of youngsters.

Désiré Doue (19), João Neves (20) and Nuno Mendes (22) have all become key players, while 28-year-old Ousmane Dembélé has emerged from Mbappé’s shadow as a leader in attack. “Luis Enrique always says that the star is the team, and that’s even more obvious this season,” says Brossard.

“Enrique is the one who changed the face of Paris. Having Messi in Paris was a great opportunity, but he was sometimes whistled at in the Parc des Princes. Some fans didn’t recognise their team. I think this new approach has brought PSG fans together. There’s less ego.”

Standing in PSG’s way is an Inter Milan side who should not be underestimated.

They produced a brilliant performance to stun Barcelona in the semi-finals and boast the best defence in the Champions League this season.

If anyone is able to stop PSG’s blistering forward line, then it is Simone Inzaghi’s wily, experienced side. Inter have also suffered recent heartbreak in the Champions League, losing to Manchester City in the final two years ago.

The sense in Paris may be that this is their time, but the same is true in Milan.

“The truth is that we deserve to be in a Champions League final again, thanks to the work and sacrifice we have made,” said Inter captain Lautaro Martinez.

“To experience another final of this scale, in this competition, is going to be incredible. It’s a dream that is within our reach again.”