PSG reach Champions League final with young squad under Luis Enrique

A new era at Paris Saint-Germain emerges as Luis Enrique’s bold shift from a superstar model to a hungry, youthful team pays off with a historic run to the Champions League final.

Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, and head coach Luis Enrique of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League 2024/2025 semifinal match between PSG and Arsenal at Parc des Princes in Paris, on May 7, 2025. Photo by Sandra Ruhaut/Icon Sport

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Paris Saint-Germain reaching the Champions League final under Luis Enrique marks a transformative moment in the club’s history, demonstrating that a shift in identity and philosophy can achieve what years of high-profile signings could not. With a 2-1 win over Arsenal at a packed Parc des Princes on Wednesday night, PSG completed a 3-1 aggregate victory in the semi-finals, confirming their place in the final in Munich on May 31 against Inter Milan.

Paris Saint-Germain reach Champions League final encapsulates not just the result, but the journey. A journey marked by risk, reinvention, and finally, reward.

From superstar policy to team-first mentality

This season, PSG’s UCL campaign has rewritten the club’s narrative. For years, they were known more for the marquee names on their roster than for cohesion on the pitch. The departure of Kylian Mbappe, following Lionel Messi and Neymar’s exit in 2023, seemed to spell an uncertain future. Instead, it opened the door for something radically different.

Luis Enrique took over with a clear vision — to build a side that played for each other rather than for headlines. The Spaniard, who won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015, instilled a collective mentality. No longer reliant on three forwards unwilling to defend, PSG now press high, defend as a unit, and attack with tactical fluidity.

Against Arsenal, six of PSG’s starting XI were aged 24 or under. The oldest, captain Marquinhos, is just 30. By comparison, Inter Milan — their final opponents — fielded players as old as 37 in their semi-final clash with Barcelona.

A journey through England’s elite

The road to the final was not just symbolic — it was brutal. PSG’s revival has come at the expense of England’s top clubs. Since January, they’ve beaten Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa, and now Arsenal — the Premier League’s most consistent teams in recent years.

Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi scored the decisive goals on Wednesday, with Bukayo Saka’s late effort for Arsenal a mere consolation. It wasn’t just attacking prowess that saw them through; PSG needed multiple saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma and endured stretches of intense pressure.

Mikel Arteta claimed his side had been superior over the two legs, but Luis Enrique was defiant. “The results speak for themselves,” he said. “This was the match where we suffered the most in the Champions League, but we earned our place in the final.”

Redemption after a rocky start

That success seemed unlikely earlier in the campaign. PSG lost three of their first five matches in the league phase of the Champions League — including a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal — and barely scraped into the knockout stages. They finished 15th out of 36, a far cry from their ambitions.

Yet Luis Enrique remained confident. “We deserved more points in the league phase,” he said. “But the tough fixtures helped us grow. The statistics showed we were one of the best teams in Europe. Once we became more clinical, the team transformed.”

That transformation involved significant spending — PSG have invested over €600 million in the past two seasons. Yet the spending was strategic. January’s acquisition of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli proved decisive, and their midfield — previously considered a weakness — is now among Europe’s most dynamic.

From laughing stock to Europe’s envy

In past years, PSG’s identity was often mocked — the expensive team that couldn’t win big matches. This time, their evolution has earned continental respect.

“The coach saw we needed to change the DNA,” said Marquinhos. “That doesn’t happen overnight, but he’s built a system where every player knows their role.”

The change is visible in their approach. PSG no longer rely on moments of magic from individuals. They dominate games with pressing, coordination, and tactical discipline. “Being an attacking player in this team is hard work,” Marquinhos admitted. “But it builds trust and confidence.”

Their celebrations after the Arsenal win spilled out onto the Champs-Elysees, a moment of joy for fans who had endured years of heartbreak. Yet not all went smoothly — isolated incidents of violence were reported, a reminder of the emotions this run has stirred.

Luis Enrique’s mission for history

This will be PSG’s second appearance in a Champions League final. Their first, in 2020, ended in a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich in a stadium without fans due to the pandemic. This time, they return to Germany with a clearer sense of identity — and a chance to redeem themselves.

It also marks the first final since 2004 without a representative from Spain, England, or Germany. Inter Milan stand in their way, themselves rich in experience and tradition. But PSG, driven by a different philosophy, believe they are ready.

“Everyone wants to win this trophy,” Luis Enrique said. “Only a few can. Our objective is to make history, and now we are one step away.”

A sign from the past?

This final will be played in Munich — the same city where Marseille won France’s only Champions League title in 1993, defeating Inter’s rivals AC Milan. For PSG fans, that history offers hope.

Luis Enrique, who turns 55 this week, believes his team has what it takes. “Inter have more experience, no doubt,” he admitted. “But we’ve been dreaming of this. From the day I arrived, I said we want to make history for this club. That dream is within reach.”

As Paris Saint-Germain reach Champions League final, their journey stands as a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the power of collective ambition. For a club long obsessed with glamour, it’s the grit that has finally brought them to the brink of European glory.