What Inter can learn from PSG’s five Champions League defeats this season | OneFootball

While Inter will certainly have plenty of concerns to take into account in their Champions League final against PSG, the French side has also shown vulnerabilities that some teams have been able to exploit during their European campaign.

Luis Enrique’s team remains very hard to beat, as demonstrated by their only two Ligue 1 defeats, which came after they had already secured the title. However, things have looked different on the European stage.

It must be said that most of PSG’s five Champions League defeats came early in the season, and the team has since evolved into a more reliable and consistent unit, seemingly more aware of both their strengths and weaknesses.

epa12132770 PSG players celebrater after winning the Coupe de France final soccer match between Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and Reims in Saint-Denis, near Paris, France, 24 May 2025. EPA-EFE/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

Key lessons for Inter from PSG’s five UCL defeats

The French giants’ last two defeats — against Liverpool and Aston Villa — had no impact on their qualification, yet they could still offer Inter some insight into the situations that might disrupt PSG’s game plan.

Aston Villa came back from two goals down to win 3-2 in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, in a match where Gianluigi Donnarumma played a key role in preventing the English side from scoring more and sending the tie into extra time.

If anything, that game served as a reminder that, perhaps due to their relatively young squad, PSG are still prone to blackouts — sudden lapses in focus that allow opponents back into the game, even when the outcome seems under control.

PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH 05: Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool (R) tackles Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool FC at Parc des Princes on March 05, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

This suggests that the Nerazzurri should stay alert for moments in which Luis Enrique’s side might lower their level of attention and pressure, looking to capitalise on those mental dips with consistent and aggressive attacking play.

PSG’s 1-0 loss to Liverpool, on the other hand, showed that Inter should not be discouraged if their opponents dominate for long spells. A single moment of brilliance could be enough to shift the momentum — provided they can withstand the most testing phases.

Indeed, the French powerhouse can be frustrated by teams capable of absorbing pressure and making the most of the few chances they get, as also shown in their 2-1 home defeat to Atletico Madrid — a game in which PSG appeared to outplay their opponents for large stretches.

Inter would do well to draw inspiration from those matches, especially by making the most of their most dangerous qualities — such as quick transitions and set pieces.