As Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan prepare to face off for the first time ever in a competitive fixture, all eyes will be on the pre-match formalities—specifically, the exchange of pennants between captains Gianluigi Donnarumma and Lautaro Martínez.
This is no ordinary swap. The pennants on display tonight are works of art, loaded with symbolism, nostalgia, and just a hint of absurdity.
PSG’s Pennant: A Pop-Art Enigma
The PSG pennant is a retro-poster masterpiece, blending classic Parisian aesthetics with a surrealist twist. At its center is the iconic club crest, but the surrounding collage is where things get weirdly fascinating:
- A fruit platter (perhaps a nod to the club’s diverse, cosmopolitan squad?)
- Several hundred toothpicks (symbolizing the fine margins in elite football?)
- Power bars (energy for the long Champions League nights?)
- Three toilet rolls (an inside joke or a commentary on the pressure of big games?)
- A carry case of assorted hardware (tools for the job, quite literally)
- A box of Terry’s Chocolate Orange? (Or is it just a trick of the light?)
If this were an album cover, fans would spend hours dissecting its meaning. Is it a statement on modern football’s excesses? A tribute to PSG’s chaotic journey in Europe? Or just the kitman having fun with graphic design?
Either way, it’s unmistakably PSG—glamorous, mysterious, and just a little bit extra.
Inter’s Pennant: A Clash of Eras
Inter, meanwhile, are sporting their third-choice yellow kit tonight, which means their pennant—a gold-and-blue stunner—will clash horribly with Martínez’s shirt.
But let’s focus on the pennant itself.
- The design is classic Inter, with bold stripes and the current Volkswagen-adjacent crest (which, let’s be honest, is not as good as the old interlocking FCIM badge).
- The gold trim gives it a regal touch—fitting for a club with three European Cups.
- The absence of sponsor logos on the pennant is a nice touch, keeping it pure.
Still, it’s hard not to feel a pang of nostalgia for the old-school designs of the 90s and 2000s. Maybe next time, Inter.
Head-to-Head? There Isn’t One.
This is the first-ever meeting between PSG and Inter in any competition.
- The last time Inter faced a club for the first time in a major final? 2023, against Manchester City.
- How did that go? Not great.
Will history repeat itself, or will the Nerazzurri flip the script?
Team News: One Change Each
PSG:
- In: Ousmane Dembélé (replaces Bradley Barcola, who drops to the bench).
- Same XI that started the first leg vs. Arsenal in the semis.
Inter:
- In: Benjamin Pavard (returns from injury, replaces Yann Bisseck).
- Same core that battled past Barcelona.
Confirmed Lineups
Paris Saint-Germain:
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos (c), Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Fabian; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.
Subs: Safonov, Tenas, Kimpembe, Ramos, Lee, Hernandez, Mayulu, Barcola, Zaïre-Emery, Beraldo, Mbaye.
Inter Milan:
Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Çalhanoğlu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro Martínez (c).
Subs: Di Gennaro, J. Martínez, de Vrij, Zieliński, Arnautović, Frattesi, Asllani, Augusto, Bisseck, Darmian, Zalewski, Taremi.
Referee: István Kovács (Romania)
VAR: Dennis Higler (Netherlands)
Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Pennant Swap
Tonight’s match isn’t just about tactics, goals, or silverware—it’s about history being made.
- Will PSG’s avant-garde energy triumph?
- Or will Inter’s old-school grit prevail?
One thing’s for sure: that pennant exchange will be unforgettable.
