Paris Saint-Germain v Inter Milan: UEFA Champions League Final - Key Battles

Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan meet in the UEFA Champions League final in Munich on Saturday.

French champions PSG are hoping to get their hands on a first continental crown and are the favourites heading into the contest, while Inter will be aiming to heal the wounds of relinquishing their Serie A crown to Napoli by winning their first European title since 2010.

We're set for an absorbing affair at the Munich Football Arena and we've picked out three key battles which could shape the match.

Ousmane Dembele v Francesco Acerbi

It was extremely fitting that Francesco Acerbi scored the goal that kept Inter's UEFA Champions League dreams alive in the semi-finals against Barcelona.

After all, the veteran defender epitomises the fighting spirit that is they key trait of Simone Inzaghi's dogged, resilient and experienced Nerazzurri.

Acerbi remains a monstrous figure at 37 and his presence will be imperative if the Italian outfit are to stand any chance of thwarting Europe's most productive forward.

Once dismissed as Barcelona's extortionate flop when he failed to match the heights anticipated following a £135.5m from Borussia Dortmund, Ousmane Dembele has cut a rejuvenated figure under Luis Enrique's tutelage and looks every inch a player who's deserving of the Ballon d'Or chatter that currently engulfs him.

Deployed as a false nine, Dembele's central role enables him to unearth shooting positions more routinely and the forward plays a pivotal role in Les Parisiens' formidable pressing blueprint.

He is PSG's difference-maker, and expect his influence to evolve as the match unfolds.

Denzel Dumfries v Nuno Mendes

The evolution of Nuno Mendes into one of the world's most complete left-backs has been one of many highlights for PSG this term.

Mohamed Salah remained anonymous when he encountered the Portuguese sensation across both of Liverpool's quarter-final legs against the Ligue 1 outfit and Arsenal's Bukayo Saka was mostly subdued after engaging in a fascinating duel with Mendes in the semi-finals.

On this occasion, Mendes will be assigned a unique challenge in comparison to previous work as he opposes the enterprising wing-back of Denzel Dumfries, who outlined his importance to Inter with two goals and three assists across the two legs against Barcelona.

Given licence to maraud forward on the right flank of Inzaghi's 3-5-2, Dumfries is in the midst of the best goal-scoring campaign of his career and the Netherlands international is a back-post threat that Inter will be eager to utilise.

However, it won't all be attack, attack, attack for Dumfries, especially when Kvicha Kvaratskhelia will be preying on Benjamin Pavard.

Mendes himself has showcased his effectiveness in the final third and if PSG's midfield trio can compensate for his advances, Dumfries will be required to provide additional protection.

Joao Neves v Nicolo Barella

Inter's orchestrating duties belong to Nicolo Barella and the Nerazzurri will be eager to get the all-encompassing midfielder on the ball during concerted spells of possession.

Barella's immense passing range enables Inter to transition effectively and the Italian midfielder possesses the skillset to dissect opponents if afforded the opportunity.

Luis Enrique will be aware that minimising Barella's input on proceedings will significantly reduce Inter's effectiveness in possession and the individual most likely assigned to keeping tabs on the 28-year-old is the prodigious Joao Neves.

A product of Benfica's fertile youth academy, the diminutive Portuguese midfielder has been lauded for his technical elegance on the ball, but it's his combativeness without possession which is arguably his most impressive attribute.

Purchased for €70m, Neves is a vital cog in enabling PSG's midfield trio to function with Vitinha pulling the strings from deep and Fabian Ruiz bombarding forward to compliment attacks.

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