Mumbai, June 1: Inter Milan's heroics against Barcelona make its record Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain all the more disappointing for the Nerazzurri. Inter staged an improbable comeback to beat Barcelona 7-6 over two pulsating semifinal legs. But there was no sign of that audacity or confidence on Saturday in Munich, where PSG romped to a 5-0 victory for the biggest winning margin in a European Cup final. UCL 2024–25 Final: Desire Doue Double Leads PSG to First UEFA Champions League Trophy in 5–0 Thrashing of Inter Milan.

“It shouldn't overshadow the season we've had. You just need to think of the journey we've been on in the Champions League,” said Inter president Giuseppe Marotta, whose team also knocked out Feyenoord and Bayern Munich.

Inter suffered its second defeat in the final in three years after losing the 2023 showpiece to Manchester City in Lisbon. Inter was eyeing a possible treble after getting past Bayern in the quarterfinals. But it was beaten by city rival AC Milan in the semifinals of the Italian Cup, then lost the Serie A title by a point to Napoli last week.

“The image that remains cancels a bit the great season that we have had,” Inter midfielder Nicolò Barella said after the latest disappointment. “Because unfortunately, in life, as in soccer, what happens last is what we are left with.”

That impression was one of a team that simply failed to match PSG's early intensity. PSG players looked sharper and hungrier, while Inter players gave the ball away with passes that failed to reach their intended recipient. Inter 'keeper Yann Sommer kicked the ball out of play twice early. From Galacticos to Glory: How Luis Enrique Transformed PSG Into UEFA Champions League 2024–25 Winners.

It was no surprise when Achraf Hakimi broke the deadlock against his former side. Hakimi didn't celebrate but the PSG fans did. Their party was just beginning. Désiré Doué scored twice, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ended the game as a contest, and Senny Mayulu completed the rout three minutes after going on as a substitute.

“They were stronger than us in everything, tactically, in their determination, they wanted it more, so we have to congratulate the opponents. At times, blows like this happen, you need to get back up, roll up your sleeves and try to take Inter back up to where it deserves to be, ” Barella said.

Marcus Thuram had Inter's best chances, going close with a header in the first half, then forcing a good save from the otherwise untroubled Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 75th. There was no spirited comeback, no spectacular “remontada” as against Barcelona. Senny Mayulu Quick Facts: Here’s All You Need To Know About Second-Youngest Player To Score in a UEFA Champions League Final.

“We didn't play a great final,” Inter coach Simone Inzaghi said. “That said, I've thanked the players for this season, and I'm proud to be their coach. It's disappointing, but it doesn't erase what we've done.”

Inzaghi said it was too soon to speak about his future as coach. His team next plays at FIFA's Club World Cup in the United States. Barella referred to getting to two Champions League finals in three years and exceeding expectations in recent seasons. Inter announced before the game that its former club president, Ernesto Pellegrini, died aged 84.

“We had a lot of games like against Bayern, like against Barcelona, where we said the heart mattered much more than the tactics," he added. “Today, unfortunately, we lacked an important quality.”

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)