Why Grit & Not Billions Will Be Reason If Inter Milan Beat PSG In The Champions League Final | OneFootball

Tomorrow Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Allianz Arena in Munich, we’re going to see a real clash of cultures in the Champions League Final: on one side, the relentless, battle-hardened Inter Milan, and on the other, the financially unlimited PSG.

While the experts and the bookmakers might lean towards PSG’s star power, and sure, some impressive stats might make them look like the winning team, I’m absolutely convinced Inter Milan will prevail.

This isn’t just a guess. it’s a belief rooted in how these two clubs got here. It’s all about how hunger, toughness, and real teamwork beat crazy spending every single time.

PSG Vs Inter Milan Champions League Final – The School of Hard Knocks: How Nerazzurri Got So Tough

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 27: Lautaro Martinez and Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale are pictured. Talking prior to the Serie A match between Inter Milan and AS Roma. Match played at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 27, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Inter Milan’s journey to this final has been a bumpy one, full of tough times.

Unlike their opponents, who are backed by Qatari billions and strong ties to the Al-Thani Royal Family, Inter has gone through several financial crises over the years.

Think about the big challenges during the COVID-2020 pandemic and then when Oaktree Capital took over in 2024 from the legally troubled Chinese owners.

But these tough periods didn’t break the club. Instead, they built discipline, grit, and a never-give-up attitude that money just can’t buy.

Inter’s ability to not just survive but actually thrive through all these money troubles says a lot about the club’s deep character and smart management.

They learned how to make the most of what they had, grow their own talent, and build a tight team where every player knows that working together is what counts.

This isn’t a team that relies on a few brilliant individual flashes; it’s built on a shared understanding of what it really takes to win when everything’s on the line and there’s no room for error.

Learning From The Champions League Final Loss – How 2023 Made Inter Milan Stronger Going Into PSG Clash

BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 16: Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale looks on during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and FC Internazionale at Gewiss Stadium on March 16, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Two years ago, Inter made it to the Champions League Final, only to lose 1-0 to Manchester City. Yeah, that was painful as Inter was somehow timid until Manchester City scored.

But it was also a huge learning experience. The key is, most of that same squad is still here, growing up together and really understanding how each other plays.

This isn’t a bunch of new guys trying to figure things out under pressure. This is a team that felt the pain of losing on this very stage, and now they’re back with priceless wisdom and an even bigger fire in their belly.

Having pretty much the same team, under the sharp eye of Simone Inzaghi, means their game plan and strong defense are totally locked in.

Honestly, they’re playing at their absolute best as a team right now, in spite of injuries and criticism. It is kind of funny that the news keeps calling Inter the underdog.

Goals from Everywhere – Inter’s Unpredictable Attack

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Atalanta BC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 30, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

One of the coolest things about Inter this season is how they can score from anywhere, and almost anyone can put the ball in the net.

This isn’t a team that depends on one superstar; it’s a full-on attacking force. Just this season, Inter has had a staggering 21 different players score across all competitions.

That includes every single outfield player in their squad!

They’ve already blasted in a total of 110 goals (75 in Serie A, 26 in the Champions League, 5 in Coppa Italia, and 4 in the Supercoppa Italiana).

This wild stat shows how flexible they are and how many threats they have.

Opponents can’t just try to shut down one or two guys; they have to deal with an entire team that can find the back of the net. That unpredictable attack makes them incredibly hard to defend against.

The Billion-Dollar Problem: PSG’s History of Empty Hands

STUTTGART, GERMANY – JANUARY 29: Luis Enrique, Head Coach of Paris Saint-Germain, reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between VfB Stuttgart and Paris Saint-Germain at Stuttgart Arena on January 29, 2025 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Now, let’s look at Paris Saint-Germain. Backed by the billionaire Qatari Al-Thani family, PSG has poured over €1.9 billion into buying players since 2011, bringing in global icons like Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, and Lionel Messi.

But even with all that money, that Champions League trophy still hasn’t made it to their cabinet. They’ve only made it to one other Champions League final (in 2020), where they lost to Bayern Munich.

It’s true that some current season stats, reported by Panorama and updated as of May 8th, might make PSG’s defense look stronger at first glance.

They’ve got 44 saves in the Champions League this season compared to Inter’s 56, which means their goalie hasn’t had to work as hard.

Plus, PSG has a strong 649 recovered balls against Inter’s 522, putting them among the top five teams in Europe for winning the ball back.

These numbers certainly show PSG’s strong defensive effort and how well they get possession back.

Lots Of Cash But No European Trophies

But these stats, even though they’re impressive, don’t tell the whole story.  Football isn’t just about individual numbers; it’s about playing as a team, brilliant tactics, and pure willpower.

PSG’s consistent failures on Europe’s biggest stage, despite all their money and these seemingly good defensive stats, show a key truth: you don’t win the Champions League just with top individual talent or even great defensive numbers by themselves.

You win with top coordination, a burning hunger, and a united fighting spirit. Money can buy players, and maybe even boost some stats.

However, it can’t buy the shared history, the tough lessons learned, or that deep drive that comes from having to fight for every bit of success.

In fact, Inter’s higher save count might actually mean their defense is so good it pushes opponents to take more shots from less dangerous spots.

Or that they simply face more attacks while still keeping goals out.

And Inter’s lower number of recovered balls could mean they’re so disciplined in their formation that they don’t need to recover the ball as often. Because they don’t lose it in dangerous areas.

Or they press high up the field and win it back before it becomes a stat in their own half.

PSG Vs Inter Milan Champions League Final Key Players – The Lautaro Factor: Pure Hunger

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 06: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match. The match was Inter Milan and FC Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Maybe nothing shows Inter’s “hunger” better than their semi-final win against Barcelona.

Against all odds, Inter won that crazy semi-final 7-6 on aggregate, a game many are calling one of the best Champions League semis ever.

And at the heart of that win was Lautaro Martinez. He played almost the whole first leg even though he was clearly injured, having strained his thigh.

They say he “spent two days crying” after the injury, but then he somehow recovered for the second leg, where he scored and won a huge penalty.

That’s not just dedication; that’s the raw, gut-level hunger that runs through this Inter squad. This is a team that will bleed for each other and for their team.

And let’s be clear: an Inter victory here would almost certainly hand the Ballon d’Or to Lautaro Martinez.

This isn’t just about team success; it’s about individual brilliance born from sheer will.

The Argentine striker literally works like a horse. He runs his heart out and contributes relentlessly. This in spite of all the injuries suffered.

His consistent goal-scoring, tireless pressing, defending and leadership on the pitch, combined with a Champions League title, would make him the undeniable choice for football’s highest individual honor.

Conclusion: It’s Now or Never for Inter’s Big Moment

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 16: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates with his team-mate Benjamin Pavard. After scoring their team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Inter Milan and FC Bayern München. Match played at San Siro on April 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

This Champions League Final is more than just a football match; it’s a story. It’s the story of a team that faced down tough times and came out stronger, a team that learned from past heartache, and a team where every player is a threat and a fighter.

Inter Milan’s journey has been defined by guts, discipline, and a spirit that just won’t quit.

PSG, for all their financial power and individual brilliance, still hasn’t shown they have that same collective hunger and unbreakable will.

For Inter, this feels like a now or never moment. The team is at its absolute best, a perfectly tuned machine that has grown together through all their battles.

Their coach, Simone Inzaghi, is standing at a huge point in his career. He is chasing the ultimate prize of a Champions League title.

One that could cement his place and maybe even lead to a big move to another club.

On top of that, the club’s owners, Oaktree Capital, after sorting out the team’s finances and making it stable, might see a Champions League win as the perfect time to sell to a Gulf petrodollar state, just like PSG and Manchester City.

So, winning isn’t just about sporting achievement; it’s about the very future of the club.

The Inter Milan Defence More Than Good Enough To Stop PSG In Champions League Final

And when it comes to stopping PSG’s dangerous attack, Inter’s tactical setup under Inzaghi is just perfect.

PSG’s superstars like Ousmane Dembélé and Warren Zaïre-Emery thrive on individual skill and finding open space.

But Inzaghi’s super organized defensive plan, with a tight midfield and a disciplined backline, is built exactly to cut off passing lanes.

As well as deny space to those creative players, and push opponents into bad positions.

This smart approach can truly neutralize PSG’s star power, making them play outside their comfort zone.

When that final ends in Munich this weekend, don’t be surprised if the Nerazzurri, shaped by financial struggles, change of ownership and driven by hunger, is the one holding up the Champions League trophy.

Because in football, just like in life, sometimes the biggest wins go not to those with the deepest pockets.

But to those with the hungriest hearts. Those fighting for a moment that could define their legacy. Making them legends.

By: Andrea Zanon