Champions League Predictions

On May 31, soccer fans all over the world will unite to watch the final of one of the greatest soccer tournaments, the Champions League Final. After a thrilling semifinal, the two contenders have been decided: Inter Milan will play Paris Saint-Germain at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. After a decade of dominance from powerhouses Real Madrid, Milan, and PSG have the opportunity to make their mark in the history of this glorious European championship. 

Paris Saint-Germain is one of the strongest teams in the world right now. In past years, PSG has bought big-name players, once even having Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe on the same squad. However, they did not get this far in the competition with these players. Now, led by ex-Barca manager Luis Enrique, they breezed past competitors in the French League and cruised to the Champions League semi-finals. Their attack is filled with flair and pace, with Ballon D’Or contender Ousmane Dembele being at the forefront. While their goal-scoring abilities are beyond efficient, their defense has had the tendency to fall apart at times and allow easy goals. The key to their success lies in the defense communicating well and staying organized for the whole 90 minutes. Fans all over the world would agree that the most admirable part about their run this season is how they truly are a redemption team, with a coach who has been doubted before, and many players who really haven't been able to shine in the past.

Inter Milan has shown fans what an example of the perfect underdog tale looks like. For the past few years, Milan has seen success in the Italian League but has faltered in the Champions League, failing to hoist the trophy for 15 years. Their success has been based on their fluid and interconnected play style. Headed by manager Simone Inzaghi, Milan has crafted an unorthodox yet graceful form of attack. Inzaghi allows his players to play multiple roles, multiple times a game. For example, if given the opportunity, defenders from the back are allowed to lead the offense and even score on many occasions. Although they aren’t as star-studded as the other remaining teams, Milan still has more than enough firepower to compete with the top teams via the contributions of forward Marcus Thuram, midfielder Nicolo Barella, and striker and World Cup winner Lautaro Martinez. However, what Milan is most not known for is their near-impenetrable defense. In fact, they have only let in eleven goals in the Champions League, the lowest out of any team. Inter has had one of the toughest schedules, facing the best team in Spain, Barcelona, and the best team in Germany, Bayern Munich. They barely squeezed through both, but showed their ability to stay calm under pressure and solidified their status as one of the best teams in the world. Inzaghi and his players hope that their hard-nosed defense and creative offensive scheme will be enough for them to bring the Champions League trophy back to Italy. 

Our Predictions:  

Kian: I think that PSG will win the Champions League title because of their attacking prowess. The chances are that the final will be a face-off between them and Inter Milan. I think that the Paris attack can comfortably score multiple goals, but the real key is if their defense can stay calm throughout the game. This is because we have seen Paris concede a lot of goals against Aston Villa, which is a much weaker team than Inter Milan. Inter Milan will also be coming off a high note after their 7 goals aggregate victory over Barcelona. 

Conner: In a Champions League Final that nobody could’ve predicted, I think one last surprise is in store. PSG have been the much stronger team, boasting their firepower and goal They have goal-stopping abilities numerous times. However, I believe that Inter Milan will squeak out a win against the far more talented PSG. Questions have been asked of Inter, mainly whether they can compete in an offensive showcase against the best teams in the world. Those questions have been answered as they outlasted the tournament favorite, Barcelona, in an all-time classic, scoring seven goals to Barcelona’s six over two games. Inter’s defense still remains one of, if not the best in the world, and while they may have been absent against Barcelona, I believe that their experience and ability to win on the biggest of stages will secure their fourth Champions League title.