How Luis Enrique’s PSG Outclassed Inter Milan in the Champions League Final

When PSG and Inter Milan faced off in the Champions League final, many expected a tight battle between two strong teams. But what unfolded was a dazzling display of tactical brilliance from Luis Enrique’s PSG. From the very start, it was clear that PSG had a game plan that would leave Inter struggling to keep up.

Luis Enrique’s team showed why they are one of Europe’s most exciting sides, not just because of the individual talent, but because of how they move and think as a unit. This was a match where every player knew their role perfectly, constantly shifting positions and creating space in a way that left Inter’s defense confused and exposed. The way PSG controlled the game was a lesson in modern football strategy.

A Goal That Set the Tone

PSG’s opening goal told you everything you needed to know about their system. It started with high pressing and ended with the right-back, Achraf Hakimi, scoring from close range, despite starting in defense. The beauty of this move was how players constantly changed positions. The right winger cut inside, the fullback overlapped, midfielders rotated seamlessly, and suddenly, PSG had broken through Inter’s shape. None of the players were where they started, but all were where they needed to be.

This kind of positional rotation is what makes Luis Enrique’s system so special. His players don’t just play in one area, they adapt, move, and fill in for each other constantly.

Why Inter’s Plan Didn’t Work

Inter Milan came into the match with a clear strategy. They set up in a deep 5-3-2 formation, hoping to block central passes and press the ball carriers. The idea was solid: stop Dembele from receiving passes in dangerous areas and crowd out the midfield. But PSG don’t play like a traditional 4-3-3. Their formation is only a starting point, after that, it’s all about fluidity.

Midfielder Vitinha often dropped into defense to help build play from the back. This small adjustment had a huge impact. It freed up space for left-back Nuno Mendes to move forward and support the attack, especially on the flanks with Kvaratskhelia. As PSG switched the ball from side to side, Inter’s wing-backs were pulled all over the pitch, leaving gaps for PSG to exploit.

Total Control in Possession

Once PSG settled into their rhythm, Inter simply couldn’t get close. They kept width with players hugging the touchlines, stretched the pitch, and made it incredibly hard for Inter to press. At the same time, PSG’s central players were constantly rotating. Dembele, in particular, was everywhere, on the wing, in the half-space, even dropping deep into midfield. And whenever he moved, someone else filled in the space.

This flexibility meant that Inter’s defenders were always second-guessing. Do they follow the player or hold their position? More often than not, they were left stranded.

Pressing with Purpose

One of the most underrated parts of PSG’s performance was their pressing. They didn’t just attack with the ball, they attacked without it too. From the moment Inter’s goalkeeper Sommer got the ball, PSG’s forwards, especially Dembele, were sprinting toward him, cutting off passing lanes and forcing rushed decisions.

Inter, known for building from the back, had no time or space to do it. They were either forced to go long or pass into tightly marked midfielders, both of which led to turnovers. PSG’s press was not just intense; it was intelligent.

Goals That Reflect the System

The second goal came from a lightning-quick transition after Inter thought they had won a corner. The ball moved from Kvaratskhelia to Dembele.

Then across to Doue’, whose shot deflected in. This wasn’t luck, it was about reacting faster and moving as a unit.

The third goal was arguably the best of the night. It began from deep possession, not a counterattack, showing how PSG could hurt you in more than one way. With slick one-touch passes, clever movements, and a brilliant backheel from Dembele, the move ended with Vitinha setting up Doue’ again. It was a perfect blend of structure and spontaneity.

More Than Just Tactics

While the tactics were world-class, this win was about more than formations and rotations. It was about a team fully committed to the system. Every player knew their role and trusted the man next to them. Luis Enrique didn’t just coach the players, he built a unit that plays for each other.

Inter looked mentally and physically drained, possibly from their long domestic season. PSG, on the other hand, looked sharp, fresh, and hungry. They were quicker in thought, faster in transition, and completely in sync.

This final will be remembered not just for the scoreline, but for the clarity of PSG’s game plan and how flawlessly it was executed. Luis Enrique’s PSG showed that modern football is about movement, intelligence, and belief in the system. They didn’t just beat Inter, they dismantled them.

And if this performance is anything to go by, PSG might finally be on the path to European domination.