Pivotal encounters in the Champions League final matchup

In the highly anticipated UEFA Champions League final at the Allianz Arena in Munich, the battle lines were drawn between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan. Herein lies a breakdown of the key positions and individual performances that could have made all the difference in this thrilling showdown.

Achraf Hakimi vs Federico Dimarco

The final was a significant occasion for Hakimi, the Moroccan right-back for PSG who once wore Inter's colors and lifted the Serie A trophy in 2021. Known as one of the world's finest full-backs when it comes to attacking, Hakimi has scored or assisted 22 goals this season. Questions arose, however, about the space left vacant behind him during his surging forays forward, as Dimarco, Inter's left-wing-back, has four goals and 11 assists in several competitions this season.

Dimarco holds an essential role in Inter's 3-5-2 formation, using his attacking contributions to great effect. His defensive skills, however, were put to the test in the semi-finals against Barcelona, particularly in the first leg.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia vs Denzel Dumfries

As on the left, Dumfries on the right for Inter plays a similar role as a marauding wing-back, offering a significant offensive threat. He has scored 11 goals this season, including two in the first leg of Inter's match against Barcelona. His task was to subdue Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian left-winger recruited by PSG from Napoli after they denied Inter the Serie A title. Despite encountering Kvaratskhelia six times while at Napoli, he had managed to best the Inter defense only once and never scored against them.

Marquinhos vs Lautaro Martinez

South American captains faced off in a heated contest, with Brazilian center-back Marquinhos squaring up against Argentinian forward Lautaro Martinez. Marquinhos, now 31, has been with PSG since 2013 and has endured several painful defeats in the Champions League over the last decade. Martinez, 27, is Inter's primary goal threat, tallying 22 goals this season and nine in Europe. Both have played against each other four times at the international level, including in the 2021 Copa America final, where Martinez partnered Lionel Messi up front for Argentina in their 1-0 victory over Marquinhos and Brazil at the Maracana.

Ousmane Dembele vs Marcus Thuram

Dembele served as the spearhead of PSG's attack, with a remarkable 33 goals in all competitions this season. If he managed to find the back of the net and lead PSG to victory, he might become a frontrunner for this year's Ballon d'Or. In Inter's attack, Dembele's fellow French international Thuram functioned as the foil for Martinez. With 18 goals in all competitions, this campaign marked Thuram's most prolific scoring season to date. He joined Inter after the 2023 final, hoping to surpass his father Lilian's achievement as a runner-up in the Champions League with Juventus in 2003.

Midfield Battle

PSG's three-man midfield featured a formidable combination of Portuguese dynamos Vitinha and Joao Neves alongside Fabian Ruiz. Vitinha acts as the engine, maintaining the team's rhythm and serving as the designated penalty taker. Neves, a summer signing from Benfica, excels in starting the press and is surprisingly adept in the air. Ruiz, who scored a crucial goal in the semi-final second leg against Arsenal, provides veteran experience.

Inter relied on Nicolo Barella in the middle, supported by Turkish international Hakan Calhanoglu, one of the best set-piece takers in world football. Henrikh Mkhitaryan, a seasoned veteran, completed the trio but may struggle to play a full 90 minutes.

As it turned out, PSG dominated the game, securing an impressive 5-0 victory over Inter. The final result offers valuable insights into individual performances, though further analysis remains to be seen as both teams prepare for future challenges.

In the Champions League final, Hakimi, the Moroccan right-back from PSG, faced off against Dimarco, Inter's left-wing-back, in a crucial matchup, with both players displaying impressive offensive contributions in their respective leagues.
On the right, Dumfries of Inter and Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian left-winger for PSG, presented formidable offensive threats as they engaged in a battle of wits, with Kvaratskhelia aiming to break through Inter's defense after scoring against them only once in their previous encounters.
The midfield battle between PSG's Portuguese trio of Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Fabian Ruiz versus Inter's lineup of Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan promised to be a fascinating clash, as both teams sought to assert their dominance in the European leagues.