😱 Final between "losers"? PSG-Inter mirrors the 2001 Champions League ⚠️ | OneFootball

Having the motivation to play in a Champions League final might seem obvious, but reaching it after having lost another one just a few years earlier definitely gives you an extra push.

This time, both teams will feel the regret of a missed triumph: because Inter was defeated in 2023 by Manchester City, while PSG lost in 2020 against Bayern Munich.

It had only happened once before that two defeated finalists faced each other again in quick succession after losing another final.

🤯 Inter-PSG and Bayern-Valencia: 2 similar finals

The case we are examining is even more striking than what Inter and PSG will experience, having lost respectively 2 and 5 years ago. We're talking about the Bayern Munich-Valencia final that took place in 2001.

- Bayern loses in 1999

Statistically, this final cannot be surpassed: because Bayern was defeated in 1999 by Manchester United, conceding 2 goals in injury time, beaten by Sheringham in the 91st minute and then from a corner by Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer in the 93rd minute.

A real blow considering that Bayern Munich had won their group by surpassing Manchester United, against whom they had drawn twice: 2-2 (coming back at the end of the match) and 1-1.

Valencia loses in 2000

In 2000, it was Valencia’s turn, in the first Champions League final between two teams from the same country: Real Madrid-Valencia. The Andalusians, coached by Hector Cuper, had beaten another Spanish team in the semifinals.

Here too, the results between the two teams during the season were ironic: Valencia was unbeaten against Real, even with a win and a draw in the league. Not to mention the Andalusians’ 2nd place finish compared to the merengues’ 5th in La Liga.

But that final was a story of its own: a clear 3-0 and the first half already ended with them ahead. Goals from Morientes, McManaman, and Raul secured Real’s 8th Champions League. Against a Valencia that also lost the following year’s final, this time to Bayern, who would win their 3rd European Cup.

Another similarity between the 2001 final and the one in 2025 is precisely this: it will be played between a team seeking its first victory and in its second final (PSG and Valencia), while the other already has 3 Champions League trophies in its cabinet (the current Inter and Bayern Munich at the time).

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

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