It was Inter Milan's men against Paris Saint-Germain's boys on paper. It was PSG's men against Inter's boys on the field.
Not even an otherwise all-conquering Barcelona crop could outwit the wily Francesco Acerbi, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Yann Sommer in the Champions League semi-finals, where Simone Inzaghi's men proved that their attacking can be as devastating as their defending is diligent.
The Nerazzurri's leader has always been heralded as an astute tactician; able to maximise his side's output with limited financial resources compared to some of Europe's superpowers, thanks to a formerly unyielding cohesive unit.
Yet, everything went cataclysmically wrong for the Italian giants in Munich, to the point where Inter Milan suffered the biggest-ever defeat in the history of the European Cup/Champions League - an inexplicable 5-0 beatdown.
Many of Inter's players had been here and done it before, having been slain by Manchester City in the final of the 2022-23 edition, while many of PSG's crop caught a glimpse of the Champions League trophy in person for the first time in their embryonic careers.
Experience and nous mattered little at the Allianz Arena, though, as PSG reached the pinnacle of their terrific transformation under Luis Enrique, who has made the new European champions a team that are impossible to hate on the pitch, no matter where your allegiances lie.
PSG's team talent trumps superstar quality in Champions League
© Imago
It almost seemed too good to be true in 2021. Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar all lining up in the same front three, a front three that were seemingly destined to finally bring European glory to the French capital.
However, as desperate president Nasser Al-Khelaifi learned the hard way, cramming a collection of 'galacticos' into one starting lineup is not a surefire recipe for success when faced with a well-oiled team, one that puts egos to one side for the greater good of a common goal.
As Ally McCoist said to His Royal Highness Prince William before the second leg of PSG's quarter-final with Aston Villa, the Ligue 1 champions finally look a 'proper team', one built on solid foundations at the back, an irresistible midfield trio and a devastating attacking trident.
Shifting to a youth-focused policy over one where the Ballon d'Or contenders of old stole the spotlight, PSG only had one player over the age of 30 play any minutes in the 2024-25 Champions League in the lead-up to the final; captain Marquinhos.
But when the rest of Les Parisiens' fledgling side are just as mature as their long-serving captain, there is little that they cannot accomplish. Take Desire Doue, the 19-year-old who became the first player to contribute to thee goals in a Champions League final. Or Senny Mayulu, his fellow teenager who could scarcely believe he had just capped off a phenomenal five-star display late on.
For such a young squad to play with no fear on the biggest stage of them all - and against an Inter team who handed 30+ players the second-biggest share of UCL minutes before the final - that points to a significant change in culture, thanks in no small part to one mastermind of a man.
Luis Enrique: No man more deserving of Champions League glory
© Imago
Sitting in the PSG hotseat is not a job for the weak - fail to win the Champions League and you are as good as gone - but Enrique knows the true meaning of strength.
A fate that should befall no parent, Enrique and his wife Elena tragically lost their nine-year-old daughter to bone cancer in 2019, and no-one would have blamed the ex-Barcelona boss for calling time on his managerial career after such a distressing life event.
However, with the unwavering support of his family and colleagues, Enrique immediately rediscovered his love for coaching and helping young athletes live their best lives both professionally and personally, and he has more than succeeded in that regard.
A tribute that could draw a tear from the dryest eye, PSG's supporters unfurled a beautiful banner displaying Enrique and his late daughter in Munich, as the special Spaniard became just the second manager to win multiple European trebles after compatriot Pep Guardiola.
Rival fans used to enjoy the customary PSG Champions League failures. Whenever Les Parisiens went out, it was seen as a triumph for football over finances - especially against Borussia Dortmund last year - although that is not to say Les Parisiens are in a worse economic shape than they were back then.
However, with a collection of players who are humble, hard-working and brimming with world-class quality, and a manager whose full-time smile was perhaps the most infectious smile ever seen on a football pitch, PSG have just gone from the team that everybody loved to hate to the one that everybody loves to watch.
Ben Knapton
