Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) claimed the top spot on 'the stage of stars' without Lee Kang-in.
PSG defeated Inter Milan 5-0 in a single-match final of the 2024-2025 season UEFA Champions League (UCL) held at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, on Dec. 1 (Korea time).
This season, PSG triumphed in Ligue 1, the Trophée des Champions, and the Coupe de France, achieving a domestic treble. They also conquered Europe, completing a quadruple.
On this day, PSG adopted a 4-3-3 formation. Duhé, Dembélé, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia took positions in the attack. In the second line were Neves, Vitinha, and Fabian Ruiz. The defense was composed of Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacheco, and Nuno Mendes, with Donnarumma as the goalkeeper. Lee Kang-in, who was named on the bench, did not step onto the pitch.
Inter faced PSG with a 3-5-2 formation. Lautaro Martínez and Turan were positioned upfront. In the second line were Dimarco, Mkhitaryan, Çalhanoğlu, Barella, and Dumfries. The defensive line featured Bastoni, Acerbi, and Pavard, with Sommer as the goalkeeper.
In the early moments of the first half, both teams engaged in a probing battle.
PSG scored the opening goal relatively early. In the 12th minute of the first half, Duhé, receiving a through pass from Vitinha, noticed Hakimi in the center of Inter's box and delivered a low, swift cross. Hakimi, left unmarked, coolly netted with a right-footed inside shot.
Hakimi, who played for Inter during the 2020-2021 season, refrained from celebrating after scoring.
Gaining momentum, PSG added a second goal in the 20th minute of the first half. Duhé, who assisted the opening goal, found the net this time. He shot with his right foot after receiving a pinpoint cross from Dembélé during a counterattack. The shot deflected off an opposing player before resulting in a consolidation.
Inter worked diligently to find a goal back. In the 37th minute of the first half, Turan attempted a header during a corner kick opportunity, but the ball went just past the goal post by a small margin.
Two minutes of stoppage time were granted. Kvaratskhelia aimed for the team's third goal with a header during a corner kick, but failed to connect with the goal.
The first half concluded with PSG leading 2-0.
PSG dominated the first half. According to the official UEFA website, PSG recorded a ball possession rate of 61%, while Inter managed only 39%. The number of shots was also skewed at 13 (5 on target) to 2 (none on target).
Five minutes into the second half, PSG aimed for a third goal. Kvaratskhelia lost his balance on the left side of the box but managed to take a shot. However, it hit the side netting.
PSG's attacking force did not diminish. In the 15th minute of the second half, Hakimi aimed for a multi-goal achievement with a powerful shot directed toward the opposite net from the right side, but was blocked by the defense.
The match was effectively decided. In the 18th minute of the second half, Duhé offered PSG a third goal. Dembélé, positioned in midfield, sent a short forward pass to Vitinha after a brilliant individual play. Vitinha then moved the ball forward into the opponent's box and passed it to Duhé, who was on the right side of the box. Duhé did not miss his chance, scoring with a smooth one-touch shot.
Building on their momentum, PSG scored another goal in the 28th minute of the second half. A long pass from Dembélé completely tore through the Inter defensive line. Kvaratskhelia collected the ball, dribbled through, and calmly finished in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper.
Lee Kang-in’s appearance did not materialize. PSG exhausted all five substitution cards in the 39th minute of the second half, but he was not included among the substitutes.
Inter struggled to find at least one goal back. However, breaking through the overwhelmingly strong performance of PSG proved challenging.
On the contrary, PSG made it 5-0. In the 41st minute of the second half, substitute Mayulu received a shot from Barcola and scored with a single angle from the side.
The match concluded with PSG's 5-0 victory.
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