Champions League Final 2025: PSG and Inter Fans Take Over Munich/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Munich was buzzing with anticipation Saturday as Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan fans flooded the city ahead of the UEFA Champions League final. Supporters gathered at fan zones, filling squares and beer gardens while police monitored activities. With PSG seeking their first title and Inter chasing redemption, Europe’s biggest club prize is on the line.
Champions League Final Fan Frenzy: Quick Looks
- Event: 2025 UEFA Champions League Final
- Teams: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Inter Milan
- Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich
- Kickoff Time: 9 p.m. local (1900 GMT)
- Atmosphere: Thousands of fans packed fan zones and Munich streets
- Security Presence: Police closely monitored “ultras” and groups of Inter fans
- Historical Context: Inter lost the 2023 final; PSG fell short in 2020
- Fan Zones: Inter at Odeonsplatz, PSG at Königsplatz
- Munich Main Square (Marienplatz): Overflowing with Inter chants and energy
- Title History: Inter—3 UCL titles (last in 2010); PSG—seeking first-ever win
Deep Look: Munich Buzzes With Champions League Fever as PSG and Inter Clash
By JAMES ROBSON and CIARÁN FAHEY | AP – May 31, 2025
MUNICH — The Bavarian capital was draped in color, chants, and anticipation Saturday as fans from across Europe arrived en masse ahead of the UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan.
From early morning, the streets of Munich transformed into a celebration of football passion. Thousands of supporters from France and Italy filled fan zones and central squares, preparing for one of the sport’s biggest nights.
At Odeonsplatz, Inter’s “ultras” brought high energy with drums, flags, and flare smoke, while black-clad groups identified as hardcore fans made their presence known — watched closely by local police. Neighboring Wittelsbacherplatz turned into an informal beer garden as supporters sought shade and refreshments under large umbrellas.
Just blocks away, PSG fans filled Königsplatz, bringing a more subdued but no less devoted atmosphere. The visual contrast between the two groups mirrored their club histories — one steeped in legacy, the other in modern ambition.
A Tale of Two Clubs
For Inter Milan, this final marks another chance to reassert their European pedigree. After falling narrowly to Manchester City in 2023, the Nerazzurri hope to end the season on a high note. With three European titles already in the trophy case, they aim to add a fourth — their first since 2010.
Coach Simone Inzaghi is embracing the opportunity:
“We are proud to be Inter. These players have done a lot — we’ve won and lost. But we gave everything.”
For Paris Saint-Germain, the stakes are even higher. Despite years of massive investment and a star-studded cast — Messi, Neymar, Mbappe — the elusive Champions League title remains out of reach. But under Luis Enrique, a coach who won the title with Barcelona in 2015, PSG looks reborn.
“The motivation for me is to win the Champions League title for the first time for PSG,” Enrique said. “That is the gift I want to give the people, the club, the city.”
He’s crafted a fresh squad with Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia leading the charge — proving there’s life after the departure of their superstar trio.
Fans, Optimism, and Nostalgia
On Marienplatz, Inter fans sang joyfully, some having traveled for their second final in two years. Brothers Giuseppe and Andrea Pertosa, who witnessed the 2023 loss in Istanbul, were cautiously hopeful.
“We will win 1-0,” said Andrea, clearly nervous.
Locals and tourists stopped to capture the passionate scenes on their phones — a vivid testament to the global appeal of the Champions League.
A City United by the Game
The day’s festive atmosphere was also a reminder of the cultural power of football. With sunshine bathing Munich, fans spilled out of trams and taxis, blending into a temporary international mosaic of jerseys, chants, and cheers.
This final — played at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena — is about more than football. It’s about history, ambition, and redemption.
Will Inter reclaim their European glory? Or will PSG finally reach the summit?
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