PSG Could Be Inter’s Toughest Test Yet – And Here’s Why Barcelona Was Child’s Play

Inter Milan thinks they’ve seen it all. They knocked out Barcelona in the semifinals. They went toe-to-toe with Manchester City in the 2023 final, losing just 1-0 in Istanbul. But PSG? That’s a different beast entirely.

The French champions have lost 5 matches in Europe this season, yet they’ve quietly transformed into something more dangerous than either Barca or City. While those teams had clear weaknesses Inter could exploit, Luis Enrique’s PSG presents a puzzle with no obvious solution.

Why Barcelona and City Were Actually Easier

Against both Barcelona and Manchester City, Inter had a tactical roadmap to success. Both teams played with high defensive lines – gift-wrapping counter-attacking opportunities for the Nerazzurri.

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 06: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale (L) celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Marcus Thuram (R) during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy.

Pep Guardiola’s City particularly struggled against Inter’s low defensive block. That’s exactly why Erling Haaland looked so toothless, with Francesco Acerbi keeping Europe’s deadliest striker in his pocket all night.

PSG won’t make those same mistakes.

The Full-Back Problem That Could Sink Inter

Here’s where things get scary for Simone Inzaghi’s side: PSG boasts 2 of Europe’s most lethal full-backs in Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi. These aren’t just defenders – they’re attacking weapons.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JUNE 10: Rodri of Manchester City and Edin Dzeko of FC Internazionale battle for a header during the UEFA Champions League 2022/23 final match between FC Internazionale and Manchester City FC at Ataturk Olympic Stadium on June 10, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Federico Dimarco and Denzel Dumfries will face constant 2-on-1 situations as PSG’s full-backs combine with wingers Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola. One moment of poor tracking from Nicolò Barella or Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Inter’s defensive wall crumbles.

Dembélé: The Wild Card Acerbi Can’t Handle

Francesco Acerbi dominated static strikers like Haaland, but Ousmane Dembélé presents a completely different challenge. The French winger’s unpredictable movement and pace could expose the veteran defender’s limitations in ways a traditional number 9 never could.

The Suffocation Strategy

PSG’s aggressive pressing means Inter won’t get the luxury of building attacks patiently. The Nerazzurri will face wave after wave of pressure, with PSG’s full-backs making rapid recovery runs to snuff out any counter-attacking threat.

PARIS, FRANCE – APRIL 09: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Paris Saint-Germain scores his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa FC at Parc des Princes on April 09, 2025 in Paris, France.

This isn’t like facing City’s possession-heavy approach. PSG can press you into submission, then drop back and defend compactly when needed. They’ve already proven this versatility throughout their European campaign.

Inter’s Only Escape Route

For Inter to survive this tactical minefield, their midfield trio must produce a masterclass. Quality chances will be rare, so clinical finishing becomes non-negotiable.

Scoring first isn’t just preferable – it might be Inter’s only path to victory. Force PSG to chase the game, and those attacking full-backs become a liability rather than an asset.

The irony? Inter’s experience against Europe’s elite might actually work against them. PSG represents evolution – a team that’s learned from the mistakes of Barcelona and City, creating the most complete tactical challenge Inter has faced in years.