Paris Saint-Germain ends 14-year wait with first Champions League triumph in 2024

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) ended a 14-year wait for European glory by clinching their first-ever Champions League title in 2024, a milestone that reflects a significant evolution in the club's approach.

The UEFA Technical Observer Group praised PSG's "dazzling fluidity" in their final victory against Inter Milan, highlighting the team's dynamic rotation and mobility. UEFA Technical Observer Ioan Lupescu noted, "We have to highlight the rotation of the Paris players – the wingers, the attackers and also Achraf Hakimi, who was sometimes playing as a striker. There was a lot of mobility compared to Inter, who were more rigid in their approach."

Forward Ousmane Dembélé was singled out for his relentless pressing, which disrupted Inter's defense. Lupescu remarked, "He pressed [Yann] Sommer and [Francesco] Acerbi and every other central defender with a massive intensity which meant they didn't have time to think." Inter coach Simone Inzaghi acknowledged PSG's superior speed and pressing, stating, "They pressed us on the second balls and got there first."

This triumph marks a strategic shift for PSG, who previously relied heavily on star power and glamour. Since Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) took majority ownership in 2011, the club has transformed from Europe's 90th-best team to a powerhouse. However, it was only after moving away from a star-centric model and focusing on depth, energy, and modern tactics that PSG secured their greatest prize.

As noted, "Aiming for pure star power and glamor helped PSG establish itself as a money-printing machine, but the club didn't finally earn its greatest prize until it lost its biggest stars and learned to overwhelm opponents with depth, energy and a heaping dose of modern tactics."

The 2024 Champions League victory is a testament to PSG's evolution into a cohesive, tactically versatile team capable of dominating Europe's elite.

Paris Saint-Germain ended a 14-year wait by winning their first Champions League title in 2024, showcasing dazzling fluidity, intense pressing, and tactical depth. The victory marks a strategic shift from star power to team cohesion, overcoming European failures since Qatar Sports Investments took majority ownership in 2011.