Inter and PSG to battle for Champions League title amid tight security in Munich

European club football's biggest prize is at stake between two teams that have keenly felt the pain of falling at the last hurdle in recent years.

Inter was a losing finalist against Manchester City in 2023 and PSG lost in its only final so far against Bayern Munich in 2020.

Supporters were gearing up for the evening game by making their way to the designated fan zones hours before kick-off. Many stopped en route to sample Munich’s gastronomy on a beautiful warm day in the Bavarian capital.

Near Odeonsplatz, where the Inter fans were to gather, many stopped at neighbouring Wittelsbacherplatz — a cobbled plaza flanked by stately buildings with a bronze statue of Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria, on a horse in the centre — where they sheltered from the sun under giant umbrellas and enjoyed lunch washed down by beers.

Police kept a watchful eye on a huge group of black-clad “ultras” who banged drums, sang and waved flags as they marched toward the fan zone. Other Inter supporters who wore t-shirts identifying themselves as hooligans cheered them on.

The PSG supporters were making their way to Königsplatz, another town square nearby.

According to local media, the German authorities are reckoning with around 500 violent fans from Milan and 150 from Paris and have dispatched more than 2000 police. Helicopters are watching the city and the area surrounding the venue, Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena, closely.

After spending billions and signing some of the sport's greatest players like Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, PSG is still waiting to win its first Champions League title. Those superstars have left, but coach Luis Enrique has assembled one of the most exciting squads in Europe, with the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Desire