Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain will lock horns in the final of the 2025 Champions League, with the pair coming through their respective semi-final ties against Barcelona and Arsenal.
On Tuesday night, Inter came out on top against Barcelona, running out 4-3 winners in the second leg at San Siro, which gave them a 7-6 aggregate success, and the last-four clash will be remembered as one of the greatest European contests of all time.
There was not as much drama in Wednesday’s semi-final between PSG and Arsenal, though, as the French champions won 2-1 on the night to secure a 3-1 aggregate success, with Luis Enrique‘s side joining Inter in the Munich final at the end of the month.
Here, Sports Mole selects its Champions League Team of the Week from the second legs of the semi-finals, and there were a number of outstanding performers once again.
DEFENCE
Gianlugi Donnarumma was sensational for PSG against Arsenal, with the Italian making a host of excellent saves, but he just misses out on a spot in the side due to the display of Yann Sommer against Barcelona; the 36-year-old made seven saves on Tuesday night, and his heroics played a vital role in Inter navigating their way into the final of the competition.
There are also two Inter defenders in this XI, with Denzel Dumfries and Francesco Acerbi both included; the former came up with two assists during an outstanding display down the right, with his contribution from an attacking sense absolutely incredible.
Acerbi, meanwhile, scored the last-gasp leveller which took the contest to extra-time, and he was a towering presence in the middle of the defence when Inter were asked to resist late pressure from their opponents.
There are also two players from PSG at the back, including Achraf Hakimi, who was extraordinary against Arsenal on Wednesday night, scoring an absolute beauty in the second period, while he continued to cause the Gunners issues with his runs forward.
Willian Pacho, meanwhile, was a firm presence in the middle of the French team’s defence, winning four aerial duels, and he was also calm and composed in possession of the ball.
MIDFIELD
Two from PSG also make it into the midfield, including Fabian Ruiz, who scored a stunner against Arsenal on Wednesday night, albeit with the help of a deflection, but it was his overall performance that impressed the most.
The 29-year-old finished with a pass success rate of 89%, and Arsenal could not get near him for long spells.
Joao Neves also makes it, with the Portugal international again showing his class at the highest level; the 20-year-old finished with a pass success rate of 90%, while he won four aerial duels and made six tackles during a standout midfield performance.
Pedri might have ended Tuesday’s semi-final with Inter on the losing side, but the Barcelona midfielder is fully deserving of a spot in this side; the Spaniard made three tackles and completed 86 of his 99 passes in a brilliant performance at San Siro.
ATTACK
Lamine Yamal was another Barcelona player left frustrated at the full-time whistle on Tuesday, but it was still a sensational performance from a player who is already one of the best footballers in the world at the age of 17; Yamal had nine shots, completed 14 dribbles and hit the post during an incredible performance, but he ultimately had to watch Inter secure the win.
Marcus Thuram did not score in Inter’s success over Barcelona, while his statistics in terms of shots (one) and pass success rate (69%) are not exactly impressive, but his contribution to the cause was quite incredible; the 27-year-old occupied Barcelona’s centre-backs until the last moment with his running, and Inter would not have been able to play on the break without the Frenchman.
The final spot in the XI is awarded to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who was PSG’s standout forward against Arsenal on Wednesday night; the 24-year-old caused the English club’s defence huge problems with his running power, while he also helped out defensively, making five tackles and winning two aerial duels during a brilliant all-round performance.
SPORTS MOLE’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK
Sports Mole’s Champions League Team of the Week (4-3-3): Sommer (Inter); Dumfries (Inter), Acerbi (Inter), Pacho (PSG), Hakimi (PSG); F Ruiz (PSG), Neves (PSG), Pedri (Barcelona); Yamal (Barcelona), Thuram (Inter), Kvaratskhelia (PSG)
