Pavard expected to start for Inter in Champions League Final with PSG | OneFootball

Benjamin Pavard is increasingly expected to start in the Inter defence for the Champions League Final against Paris Saint-Germain.

It kicks off in Munich on Saturday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT, 21.00 CET) and a winner of the trophy will be decided after 90 minutes, extra time or even a penalty shoot-out.

There had been some fitness concerns for the Nerazzurri in recent weeks, but everyone has had time to fully recover and return to training sessions.

Pavard back to his best for Inter

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 26: Benjamin Pavard of FC Internazionale competes with Castello Lukeba of RB Leipzig during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between FC Internazionale Milano and RB Leipzig at Stadio San Siro on November 26, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

That includes Pavard, who is now tipped by Sky Sport Italia to start rather than Yann Bisseck in the back three.

The 29-year-old has been struggling with a series of injuries this season, missing six weeks with a muscular lesion, then sprained his ankle in late April.

There was also another muscular issue, but the France international is tipped to start against Paris Saint-Germain.

Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco are also the first choice wing-backs, with Lautaro Martinez back to full fitness alongside Marcus Thuram.

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 22: Benjamin Pavard of FC Internazionale celebrates his team’s second goal scored by Marcus Thuram (not pictured) during the Serie A TIM match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 22, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

This would mean seven players who started the 2023 Champions League Final for Inter would also be lining up here.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan only came on as a substitute that time for Marcelo Brozovic.

As for Paris Saint-Germain, coach Luis Enrique continues to have one small doubt on his starting XI.

That is between Bradley Barcola and Desirè Douè in attack, completing the trident with Ousmane Dembele and ex-Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

When PSG reached the Champions League Final in 2020, the only player who started there and could do the same this weekend is Marquinhos.

Paris Saint-Germain vs. Inter probable line-ups

PSG (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Barcola, Dembelè, Kvaratskhelia

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, Thuram