Home of football statistics and historyThis season, we have seen one of the most enjoyable Champions League campaigns from recent years, and it feels like it will only get better over the final few games.
In terms of moments and quality, there have been few campaigns that have really matched the level of this season. We are, for many, seeing the rebirth of exciting European football at an elite level, which is never a bad thing; however, considering the era that many have football placed in, it is such a nice refresher.
For example, this year there have been more than three goals per game on average, which has not been the case since the 2017/18 season, which many view as one of the best Champions League campaigns of the modern era.
The rhetoric from the past few years has been that football has been heading to a robotic state, where focus is more on tactical errors creating chances, rather than elite-level players making the game beautiful to watch, which is what everyone cries out for.
With that being said, whilst there is still that tactical eliteness required, there have also been some fantastic performances this year. For example, players like Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembele, and Desire Doue have set the stage alight, and everyone seems to be enjoying things more as a result.
It would be unfair to completely ignore the tactical brilliance of the current coaches (and players, for that matter). However, those fun players who really make you love the game are making a clear return.
So it is no shock that a dream final is being made. At the time of writing, the possibility of a Barcelona-PSG final is more than possible, and this is what everyone seemingly wants, given they are the most ‘entertaining teams’.
Of course, that is not to suggest that Arsenal and Inter are not great teams; they are. However, there is more rigidity within their teams, and for many, ‘less vibes’, whereas both of PSG’s and Barca’s teams feel like a blast from the past; great teams led by some exciting talents.
Why Barcelona
The first thing to probably do is look at Barcelona’s team and see why they are so well-wanted in the final. Put simply, it starts with Lamine Yamal, as everything does with Barcelona nowadays. Seen as many as the new Lionel Messi, the starlet is already elite, and he will only shine brighter in the years to come.
However, it is not just his show. Pedri, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski also add a level of quality and individual brilliance to their side, whilst the likes of Gavi, Marc Casado, and Pau Cubarsi prove that the La Masia talent conveyor belt is still very much active.
Under Hansi Flick, there is a genuine possibility that the Catalan side will win a treble this year, which would be a true sign that the glory days are returning to Catalonia after years of troubles, despite the current issues plaguing the team.
As for what the bookies think, Barcelona are joint favourites (alongside PSG) to win the Champions League at odds of 2/1, according to BettingLounge.
Why PSG
PSG then are a complete opposite, yet they’re the exact same. After years of criticism, it seems like the Parisian project has finally clicked, and the vast amount of money available is now being used really wisely.
Right now, the team is better than it has been in recent years, which is baffling, but so clear. Yes, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. are no longer there, but it feels like the side have a clear idea rather than being an individual-based hierarchy.
There were definitely fun parts of the MNM era, but there were certainly more problems than there should have been but these have now disappeared.
Last summer, the club invested very smartly, and previous players who were never quite there have reached a new level. Of course, the clearest example of this is Ousmane Dembele, who was seemingly destined for greatness, and this is why his move to Barcelona happened.
Despite the struggles in La Liga, and initial disappointments in France, the forward has now established himself as one of the best players in Europe, which everyone hoped he could be.
Then a light also needs to be shone on Desire Doue, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola, who have also added to the excitement of the Parisian attack.
Overall record
This game, if it happens, would be incredibly close to call, and historically, there has not been a separation in them – both teams have won five games of the 14 played, which shows how even things are, via UEFA.
If further proof was needed, the two sides have scored the same number of goals as each other (27), so the only separation is the titles won, where PSG will hope to achieve their first, whilst Barcelona their sixth.
It is a dream of a final on paper, from a football and story perspective.
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