Qatar-backed PSG's united approach puts them on brink of European glory

PARIS : Paris St Germain are on the brink of a maiden Champions League title, chasing European glory in their first campaign since the departure of France striker Kylian Mbappe, but street-wise Inter Milan stand between them and history in Saturday's final.

Luis Enrique's 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 PSG's recent past.

The focus on unity, tactical discipline and collective effort has drawn widespread plaudits ahead of their showdown with Inter, who eliminated Barcelona after a thrilling semi-final, in European club soccer'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," former PSG coach Luis Fernandez, who led the club to their only European title in the Cup Winners' Cup in 1996, told Reuters.

"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, big-spending PSG have dominated domestic football but have fallen short in Europe, with their only previous Champions League final ending in defeat by Bayern Munich in 2020.

Fernandez believes this year’s squad represents a refreshing shift in approach.

“This is the best collective we’ve seen at PSG since the Qatari era began - the one I like the most, and the one I keep praising,” he said.

Fernandez highlighted the camaraderie and mutual trust forged within the group after a decade dominated by marquee signings and high-profile exits.

"This team has the special quality of genuinely liking each other, appreciating one another — they're a