Inter Milan experienced one of its darkest nights after suffering a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League final held at Allianz Arena. The “Nerazzurri,” led by coach Simone Inzaghi, delivered a disastrous performance against the French giants, marking the heaviest loss in the history of the tournament’s finals.
Despite entering the season as strong contenders for a treble, Inter finished empty-handed following this historic collapse.
The British newspaper The Guardian described the loss as “a humiliating ordeal, akin to bullying on a school playground,” adding that “Inter, known for their grit and fierce fighting spirit, were brutally dismantled, losing not just the final but a part of their identity. This match exposed the limits of traditional bravery against a team playing with supreme tactical intelligence.”
Complete Dominance by Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain outclassed Inter Milan in every aspect — from collective attacking and defending to finer details such as fewer tactical errors, superiority in aerial duels, and winning second balls. Inzaghi’s strategy to cut off PSG star Ousmane Dembélé whenever he dropped deep failed as the French winger exploited spaces behind the fullbacks, supported by highly skilled teammates.
Inter also lost the battle for possession, with their defense under relentless pressure, which in turn isolated forwards Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram, depriving them of the ball.
One of the defining moments came when Moroccan right-back Achraf Hakimi scored from close range into an empty net, leaving Inter players stunned and questioning among themselves: “If our own right-back can score from six yards out, then what is our role?”
Collapse Against Counterattacks
Counterattacks became Inter’s undoing, with Xavi Simons scoring the second and third goals from swift transitions, followed by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s fourth goal. Substitute Bradley Barcola continued to torment the Italian defense, humiliating Francesco Acerbi before assisting Siniša Majolo for the fifth goal.
The Guardian noted that Inter’s only hope was to drop back and absorb PSG’s immense pressure to preserve the goal difference for as long as possible, but the recurring nightmare of counterattacks ultimately sealed their fate.
Uncertain Future and a Difficult Rebuild
Following this humiliating defeat, serious questions arise about Inter Milan’s future, especially given the advanced age of several key players such as Acerbi (37), Jan Sommer and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (both 36), while even the “younger” players like Alessandro Bastoni and Marcus Thuram are no longer very young.
The newspaper concluded, “Inter Milan appears to have reached a crossroads. Despite coach Inzaghi’s statements about considering his future, the club faces a historic moment requiring a fundamental rebuild of a worn-out squad. The new project promises to be long, painful, and fraught with challenges.”
