Tactical Breakdown: Luis Enrique’s Philosophy PSG’s Historic 5-0 Triumph Over Inter Milan in 2025 UCL Final

Tactical Breakdown: Luis Enrique’s Philosophy

“If we have the ball, we have 11 attackers; if we lose it, we have 11 defenders.” — Luis Enrique

This quote encapsulates the tactical revolution Luis Enrique brought to PSG, addressing a longstanding issue: a lack of compactness and collective effort off the ball. Previous managers like Christophe Galtier and Mauricio Pochettino struggled to integrate the star-studded trio of Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé into a cohesive defensive unit. Galtier relied on passive pressing with cover shadows, while Pochettino’s flat 4-4-2 mid-block lacked high pressing, leaving PSG vulnerable.

Luis Enrique’s arrival in July 2023 marked a seismic shift. The departures of Neymar and Messi alleviated 70% of the defensive workload issues, leaving Mbappé, who was willing to press, as the sole remaining superstar. However, Mbappé’s move to Real Madrid in 2024 allowed Enrique to fully implement his vision. His juego de posición (positional play) ensured PSG dominated possession, averaging 58% against Arsenal in the semifinals with over 90% pass accuracy. This control minimized defensive exposure while enabling fluid attacking rotations.

Enrique’s philosophy prioritizes systems over stars. At Barcelona, his success was often attributed to the Messi-Suárez-Neymar (MSN) trio, but his PSG project proves his tactical acumen. Players like Vitinha, whom Enrique called “the best in the team” for his all-around qualities, and João Neves, a €70 million signing with Iniesta-like vision, anchored the midfield. The attacking trio of Dembélé, Doué, and Kvaratskhelia combined technical brilliance with relentless pressing, exemplified by Dembélé’s 33 goals across all competitions and Doué’s brace in the final.

The 5-0 victory was a tactical masterclass, with PSG’s early goals—nine in the opening 20 minutes across their knockout matches—disrupting Inter’s game plan. Their high press led to shot-ending high turnovers, a metric where PSG led the tournament. Inter, accustomed to controlling games with their 3-5-2 formation, were suffocated by PSG’s fluidity and counter-attacking prowess, scoring six goals on the break throughout the campaign. As Enrique aptly said, “You can have results or excuses, but not both.”

: PSG clinched their first-ever UEFA Champions League title with a stunning 5-0 win over Inter Milan in 2025. Explore the tactical brilliance of Luis Enrique’s philosophy. (159 characters)

On May 31, 2025, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) etched their name into football history by securing their first-ever UEFA Champions League title with a resounding 5-0 victory over Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena in Munich. This monumental win not only marked PSG’s maiden European crown but also completed a historic treble, adding the Champions League to their Ligue 1 and Coupe de France titles. Under the guidance of manager Luis Enrique, PSG delivered a performance that showcased tactical brilliance and youthful exuberance, dismantling a seasoned Inter side in one of the most one-sided finals in the competition’s history.

Match Summary

PSG’s dominance was evident from the opening whistle, as they overwhelmed Inter Milan with relentless pressing and fluid attacking play. The scoring began early, with Achraf Hakimi opening the tally in the 12th minute, capitalizing on a precise move orchestrated by 19-year-old star Désiré Doué, who chested down a cross from Ousmane Dembélé and saw his deflected shot beat Inter’s goalkeeper Yann Sommer. Doué added his second goal in the 63rd minute, coolly slotting past Sommer after a through ball from Vitinha. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the January signing from Napoli, sealed Inter’s fate with a clinical finish in the 73rd minute, while substitute Senny Mayulu capped the rout with a fifth goal in the 87th minute, marking the largest winning margin in a Champions League final.

Inter Milan, led by Simone Inzaghi, struggled to cope with PSG’s high-pressing, possession-based style. Despite their defensive solidity throughout the tournament—trailing for only 17 minutes in the entire campaign—Inter were shell-shocked, managing just one shot on target. PSG’s early goals disrupted Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 system, forcing Inter to chase the game, which played into PSG’s devastating counter-attacking hands. The French side’s youthful squad, averaging 24 years and 262 days, showcased their dynamism, with players like Doué and Kvaratskhelia terrorizing Inter’s aging defense.

This victory completed PSG’s treble, following their Ligue 1 title and a 16th Coupe de France crown against Reims. The match was a testament to PSG’s transformation under Luis Enrique, who shifted the club’s focus from superstar reliance to a cohesive, tactically disciplined unit.

Historical Context and Stats

PSG’s 5-0 win marked their first-ever Champions League title, making them the second French club to win the competition after Marseille in 1993. The scoreline set a record for the largest winning margin in a Champions League final, surpassing previous benchmarks. Luis Enrique joined an elite group of managers, including Pep Guardiola, as the only coaches to secure European trebles with two different clubs (Barcelona 2015, PSG 2025).

The victory came in PSG’s second Champions League final appearance, following their 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich in 2020. The club’s Qatari owners, who took over in 2011, had long chased this trophy, with past failures despite boasting stars like Mbappé, Neymar, and Messi. Mbappé’s departure to Real Madrid in 2024 allowed Enrique to rebuild a younger, more cohesive squad, with an average age of 24 years and 262 days—the youngest to progress beyond the play-off round in the 2024-25 season.

PSG vs Inter Milan - UCL Final 2025

Category	PSG	Inter Milan
Scoreline	5	0
Possession	62%	38%
Shots (On/Off Target)	8 / 10	1 / 3
Total Shots	18	4
Pass Accuracy	91%	78%
Fouls Committed	12	15
Cards (Yellow/Red)	0 / 0	0 / 0

Post-Match Reactions

Luis Enrique dedicated the victory to his late daughter Xana, who passed away in 2019, in an emotional post-match statement: “It was very emotional. The supporters’ tifo depicting my daughter planting a flag on the pitch was beautiful. I don’t need a trophy to think about her—she’s always here, supporting my family, even when we lose. That’s my mentality.”

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi hailed Enrique’s impact, saying, “The team proved we have the best manager in the world. This is a dream for Paris and France.” Désiré Doué, the 19-year-old star, reflected on the team’s unity: “Our coach gave us freedom and kept us calm. This is his philosophy, and we executed it perfectly.” Ousmane Dembélé added, “There’s been a change in mindset this season. We’re a proper team now.”

Inter’s Nicolo Barella expressed disappointment: “This defeat almost cancels out everything we did so far. We’re very disappointed.” Simone Inzaghi cast doubt on his future, hinting at potential changes after the humbling loss.

🔥 Your Burning Questions About the 2025 UEFA Champions League Final — Answered!

1. Who stole the show on the scoresheet in this unforgettable final?

Paris Saint-Germain's victory was powered by a stellar attacking display: Achraf Hakimi opened the floodgates, Désiré Doué dazzled with two clinical finishes, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Senny Mayulu sealed the emphatic 5-0 triumph over Inter Milan.

2. Where did this epic showdown take place?

The grand spectacle unfolded at the iconic Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, on May 31, 2025, a stadium renowned for hosting football’s greatest moments.

3. Did PSG rewrite history with this victory?

Absolutely! Their 5-0 win set a new record as the largest winning margin ever seen in a Champions League final. Not only that, PSG became just the second French club to lift Europe’s most coveted club trophy.

4. What about Kylian Mbappé — did he shine in this final?

Mbappé’s name was absent on the pitch. Having made a blockbuster move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2024, he wasn’t part of PSG’s lineup. Yet, true to his sportsmanship, he sent heartfelt congratulations to his former teammates after their historic triumph.

5. Why does Luis Enrique’s win with PSG matter so much?

This victory cemented Luis Enrique’s legendary status. He joined an elite group as the seventh manager to conquer the Champions League with two different clubs — Barcelona in 2015 and now PSG in 2025. Moreover, he matched Pep Guardiola’s rare feat of winning trebles with multiple clubs, underscoring his tactical genius.