The 2024-25 Champions League campaign reaches a colossal conclusion on Saturday evening, when Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan butt heads in a European final of epic proportions.
Both clubs have their own demons to banish in Munich, as PSG finally seek the slice of European stardom that has eluded them for so long; their most recent shot at glory in 2020 ended in defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich.
A decade prior to that encounter behind closed doors, Jose Mourinho masterminded Inter's run to glory over Bayern in the 2010 showpiece, although the Nerazzurri have painful memories of their Manchester City-inflicted heartbreak from 2023.
Saturday's showdown has all the makings of an unpredictable affair, but predictions are what we do, so here, Sports Mole's writers deliver their verdict on who they think will come out on top at the Allianz Arena.
Barney Corkhill, Editor - PSG
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This should be a fascinating battle - and not one most expected to grace the Champions League final when the new-look competition began (and certainly not when PSG looked as though they could realistically crash out in the group stage).
Inter Milan have greater experience and nous when it comes to big games, and they are perfectly capable of picking up another win against an exciting, attacking team like they did during their instant-classic semi-final against Barcelona.
However, I have a feeling that this could finally be PSG's year. They were brilliant against Liverpool especially, and if they play like that again on Saturday then they should lift the trophy for the first time ever.
Luis Enrique has experience winning this competition, and he has stumbled on a winning formula at PSG during the second half of this season too. I can see that all coming to fruition this weekend, meaning that a PSG side that finished 15th in the league phase of this competition ends the same campaign celebrating a historic treble.
Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter - Inter Milan
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Although PSG are the bookmakers' favourites and have been backed by Opta's supercomputer to prevail against Inter, you could almost flip a coin to pick which of these two exceptional teams comes out on top.
Luis Enrique's treble-chasers have arguably been Europe's best performers this season. Only Barcelona (43) have scored more goals than PSG (33) in the Champions League and whether it is Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia or Bradley Barcola lining up in the front there, they have the potential to cause Inter all sorts of problems in the final third.
However, the success of Simone Inzaghi's stubborn Inter outfit this term has largely been built on solid foundations. The shackles certainly came off in their thrilling 7-6 aggregate win over Barca in the semi-finals, but they have kept a tournament-high eight clean sheets overall and have made themselves difficult to beat, having lost just one of their 14 matches en route to the final.
It could well be last chance saloon for a lot of the Nerazzurri's old guard who will be seeking to banish the demons of their 2023 final loss. With an average squad age of 30.3 - almost seven years older than PSG (23.6) - they will be able to call upon their experience and also have a prolific goalscorer in Lautaro Martinez, who has netted in every knockout round this season, leading the line.
With all that in mind, this could be Inter's year to win a fourth European crown.
Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter - PSG
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Prior to Inter's extraordinary semi-final encounters with Barcelona, a showpiece match with PSG would have had the feel of Enrique's unstoppable force meeting Inzaghi's immovable object, but the Nerazzurri showed that they can do both barnstorming and boring.
As exceptional as Inter have been on the defensive front all season long, they can turn up the attacking heat when it matters most too, and there is every chance that Saturday's final could have the feel of an end-to-end basketball match.
However, PSG have the Gianluigi Donnarumma and Ousmane Dembele factor on their side, and their fire should be hotter than Inter's fire as the Ligue 1 champions finally add a Champions League star to their badge; a penny for Kylian Mbappe's thoughts if my prediction does come to fruition.
Matt Law, Senior Reporter - PSG
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Inter showed something special to overcome Barcelona in the semi-finals of the competition, and there is no question that the Italian giants have the tools to hurt the French champions.
PSG are a slick and classy outfit, though, and a much better side to the one that boasted Neymar, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe as a front three.
I fancy PSG quite strongly on Saturday, placing them as heavy favourites, and I fully expect the Champions League trophy to be lifted by the Paris club in Munich.
Joel Lefevre, Reporter - PSG
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Both of these teams surprised me by reaching the final, each showing tremendous resolve and fully deserving their place in this match. While Inter have recent experience of reaching this stage in 2023 and narrowly losing, I am going with Paris Saint-Germain.
It was touch and go for PSG during the league phase, but since the knockout stage, they look like a different team, and the players are discovering that there's a method to Luis Enrique's madness.
These are two evenly matched teams that feature quality attackers, including Marcus Thuram and Ousmane Dembele, as well as excellent goalkeeping from Gianluigi Donnarumma and Yann Sommer. PSG, to me, have made it look effortless all year and never seems to get rattled; they showed in the knockout phase that they can sustain a lot of pressure, give up chances, but hold their own.
Inter, on the other hand, had to respond in the semis with a goal time and again, and that, along with a little more class and creativity in the midfield for Les Parisiens, I believe, will tip the scales in favour of the French champions.
Andrew Delaney, Reporter - PSG
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This final is one of the toughest to call in many years, and it is quite a surprise to see PSG listed as such clear favourites in the odds, given that Inter have upset Bayern and Barcelona already this season.
I have been very vocal about Inter's chances in the competition all season, and I am delighted to see them get this far, and they could very well win on Saturday, but PSG have been irresistible at times in the knockout stages and will cause them many problems.
Even then I still cannot split them and I believe there is a good chance the game will go the distance, where I must tip the balance towards PSG, simply because of the nerve they showed to win on penalties at Anfield in the last 16.
Jonathan O'Shea, Reporter - PSG
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While it may be tempting to go for Inter's mix of grit and experience, surely the time has come for PSG to claim Europe's grandest prize?
The French champions are a formidable unit, with bite and invention in midfield, plus endless pace and creativity up front. Luis Enrique has totally transformed their approach, and he also knows how to get this job done.
Even if their Italian counterparts manage to nullify the contest and survive extra time, victory could still come via a penalty shootout, as Gianluigi Donnarumma's presence almost guarantees victory on spot kicks.
Anthony Brown, Reporter - Inter Milan
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The head says Paris Saint-Germain due to the French side's control and attacking threat, while the heart says Inter due to this writer's fondness for Italian clubs and recognition of Simone Inzaghi's expertise in navigating cup competitions.
Nevertheless, will opt for Inter to right the wrongs of 2023's defeat at the hands of Manchester City and erase the recent disappointment of losing out on retaining the Scudetto.
Anthony Nolan, Reporter - PSG
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Inter Milan's comeback against Barcelona was remarkable and testament to their spirit, but PSG's combination of intensity, technicality and youth - particularly in midfield and at full-back - could prove too much for I Nerrazzuri's veterans to handle.
Luis Enrique's forward line are also individually versatile and capable both on the counter and during periods of sustained possession, so expect Simone Inzaghi's back three to be tested to their limits on Saturday.
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Ben Knapton
