Cohesion Is PSG's Strength

Ex-coach raves about their unity, while Buffon says it'll be a final of goalkeepers

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PARIS - Paris Saint-Germain are on the brink of a maiden Champions League title, chasing European glory in their first campaign since the departure of Kylian Mbappé, but the streetwise Inter Milan stand between them and history in the final on May 31.

Luis Enrique's French Ligue 1 champions, backed by owners Qatar Sports Investments, have been impressive in Europe with a cohesive brand of football that marks a clear departure from the star-driven, sometimes disjointed squads of recent past.

The focus on unity, tactical discipline and collective effort has drawn widespread plaudits ahead of their showdown with Italian giants Inter - who eliminated Barcelona after a thrilling semi-final - in European club football's biggest match of the season.

"They (PSG) buy into their coach's game plan, you can see it, and it shows in everyone's activity," said former PSG coach Luis Fernandez, who led the club to their only European title in the Cup Winners' Cup in 1996.

"No one's playing the star, even though they're all stars, and I admire that."

Since Qatar Sports Investments took control of the club in 2011, the big-spending PSG have dominated domestically but have fallen short in Europe. Their only previous Champions League final ended in defeat by Bayern Munich in 2020.