PSG: Bundesliga Connections
Paris Saint-Germain aims to make history by becoming only the second French club ever to win the Champions League trophy. Their previous appearance at this final stage was in the 2019-20 season, where they were defeated by Bayern Munich in a match played under unique circumstances.
Several key PSG players have a history in the Bundesliga, leaving their mark on German football, particularly at Borussia Dortmund. Achraf Hakimi and Ousmane Dembélé are prominent examples and are expected to be crucial players in this final match. Hakimi was notably productive during his two seasons on loan at Dortmund, nearing 30 goal contributions while playing primarily as a right-back. Dembélé, during his single season with BVB eight years ago before moving to Barcelona, was instrumental in securing a DFB Pokal title.
Inter Milan: Bundesliga Connections
In contrast to PSG`s limited final appearances, Inter Milan boasts a more recent history of success in the competition, having won it in 2010 by defeating Bayern Munich, a match where Diego Milito scored a decisive brace. Inter also faced the Bundesliga`s dominant club, Bayern, on their route to the final this season.
Inter`s squad features numerous players with Bundesliga backgrounds. Their primary goalkeeper, Yann Sommer, is considered a true Bundesliga legend. He spent eight-and-a-half successful years at Borussia Mönchengladbach before winning the league title with Bayern Munich. Sommer`s performance was particularly noteworthy in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona, where he earned the Man of the Match award.
Defender Benjamin Pavard is another player with significant Bundesliga experience, including time at Stuttgart before his move to Bayern. While specific details of his contribution in knockout rounds are highlighted, his connection to the Bundesliga is undeniable. He is expected to be fully fit for the final and could potentially start, perhaps ahead of fellow defender Yann Bisseck, who previously played for Holstein Kiel and 1. FC Köln.
Inter`s midfield also features established ex-Bundesliga talents. Hakan Çalhanoğlu, known for his proficiency from set pieces, previously played for Hamburger SV and Bayer Leverkusen. Veteran Henrikh Mkhitaryan, still performing strongly at 36, had a memorable spell at Borussia Dortmund in the 2015-16 season, with his statistics from that period standing out in his career.
Upfront, the Nerazzurri can call upon Marko Arnautovic, who is remembered for his time at Werder Bremen and represents another player with a Bundesliga past. Marcus Thuram, a former teammate of Yann Sommer at Mönchengladbach, leads the line alongside captain Lautaro Martinez.
