Paris Saint-Germain delivered a stunning 5-0 victory over Inter in the Champions League Final on Saturday, setting a record for the largest margin of defeat in a major European final. The French side’s pace and intensity proved too much for the Italian champions, who had reached their second final in three years.
Inter’s run to the final included a memorable 7-6 aggregate triumph over Barcelona in the semifinals, but recent losses in domestic competition — including defeats to Bologna, Milan, and Roma — had already signaled a decline in form. Just a month earlier, Inter had been in the hunt for a historic treble.
Acerbi: “We were outpaced”
Veteran defender Francesco Acerbi admitted that while the loss was painful, there are lessons to be taken from the experience. Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, he noted how the team approached the game calmly, perhaps too much so, and struggled to match PSG’s physicality and speed.
“Being in the final again after a few years is something special, but losing this way hurts,” he said. “We believed we could perform as we did against Manchester City [in 2023], where we pushed them to their limits. But this time, we were stuck, and they were just much quicker in every aspect.”
Despite the setback, Acerbi emphasized the importance of the journey and growth the team experienced. While the season ended without silverware, he insisted the squad gave everything they had.
Barella: PSG showed more desire
Midfielder Nicolò Barella also weighed in after the crushing defeat, acknowledging that the Parisian club had a stronger will to win. He echoed the sentiment that PSG were more aggressive and committed throughout the match.
Looking ahead, Inter’s next test comes in the Club World Cup on June 18, when they face Monterrey. The Nerazzurri will join Juventus as Italy’s representatives in the tournament, hoping to end the season on a stronger note.
Acerbi, meanwhile, has been called up by Italy coach Luciano Spalletti for the national team’s upcoming matches against Norway and Moldova.
