Luis Enrique: ‘Inter different to most teams, Donnarumma at highest level’ | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique admits that Inter are ‘a little different’ to most major European teams, while Gianluigi Donnarumma is ‘at the highest level’ going into the Champions League Final.

It kicks off in Munich on Saturday May 31 at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT, 21.00 CET).

This is the first ever competitive meeting between the two clubs, but both have tasted bitter defeat at this stage recently.

PSG were beaten by Bayern Munich in their only previous Final in 2020, while Inter fell 1-0 to Manchester City in 2023.

Luis Enrique ready for Inter challenge

MUNICH, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 25: Luis Enrique, head coach of PSG looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 training session at Football Arena Munich on November 25, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

“I feel that we are fortunate to be able to play the most important game that any club side can play, the Champions League Final. It is against another strong opponent, and we need to enjoy this moment,” Luis Enrique told Sky Sport Italia.

Simone Inzaghi’s Inter play a 3-5-2 system, but while their defensive record has been essential to reaching this level of the tournament, it would be unfair to call them a defensive team.

“Inter are a little different to many other teams, as they have two pure strikers upfront like Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez,” confessed Luis Enrique.

“Our objective, as always, is to prepare the game in the best way so that we can be the better team. In order to do that, we need to keep the ball, there is no other way of achieving it.

“We know that Inter press well too, so we prepared every alternative to try and stall their game as well. We have our style, they have ours, and I think adapting to what the game provides and having contingency plans will be the key.”

Paris Saint-Germain have already won the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France and the French Super Cup, so are on track for a Quadruple this season, but also know that they have never won the Champions League.

“I remember at my presentation, that I said the most important trophy missing from Paris Saint-Germain was the Champions League. This means there is extra pressure, because there are so many expectations around the team. We have belief, self-confidence, and if we got here playing in a certain way, we should continue along that path,” added Luis Enrique.

Donnarumma key player for PSG

PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 07: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal scores his team’s first goal past Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal FC at Parc des Princes on May 07, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Italy international Donnarumma was the Man of the Match in both legs of PSG’s semi-final victory over Arsenal, even though he had also faced criticism in France over earlier performances for the club.

“When someone is at the highest level, he must know that he will get the highest criticism as well as the highest praise. Donnarumma has a lot of experience, we are very happy with Gigio, and with all the players in the squad. I think this season we have improved a great deal.”

It is the first Champions League Final for many of these PSG players, who have an average age around seven years younger than that of the Inter squad, so are they feeling nervous?

“They are young, but also experienced, they’ve played a lot of big games. You gain experience by playing, I never had fear of using younger players, as I look at their current form and talent, without looking at their age,” concluded Luis Enrique.