This video can not be played PSG beat Arsenal go through to finals When Paris St-Germain and Inter Milan step out at the Allianz Arena in Munich on 31 May, it will mark the first Champions League final in 21 years without a Premier League, Bundesliga or La Liga club involved. At least one English, German or Spanish club has appeared in the Champions League final since Jose Mourinho's Porto beat Monaco in the 2004 showpiece. The past 14 winners of the competition have come from one of those three nations, leading many supporters to often dismiss the quality of other leagues. PSG manager Luis Enrique made a tongue-in-cheek reference to that following his side's win against Arsenal on Wednesday, saying: "The league of farmers, no? We are the league of farmers!'" The term is used by football fans - typically from England - to dismiss domestic leagues where the quality of football is perceived to be weaker than in the Premier League. While PSG and Inter would argue that is not necessarily the case, they have both defied the odds to a degree to reach the final. What does it tell us about them and the perceived strength of the Premier League? Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar spent two seasons together at PSG Only Luis Enrique will know if he truly believed his own words when he said PSG would be better off without Kylian Mbappe. The France captain, the club's record scorer, had just made public his decision to leave in May 2024 when Luis Enrique said his side would be better - both in attack and defence. "PSG will continue to be a great team and we'll get even better. We will bring in players with a strong mentality and players who identify with the club - that's how life works," said Luis Enrique. Fast-forward 12 months and few would argue against Luis Enrique's prediction after his side won Ligue 1 with six games to spare and without losing a game. The ease with which they won the domestic title - and a shortage of tough opposition - could have been seen as a negative in building for success in Europe. Marseille, in 1993, remain France's only winners of the Champions League. Having finished runners-up in the 2020 Champions League, PSG reached the semi-finals twice and quarter-finals twice in the following four years. But there was an acceptance following Luis Enrique's appointment in 2023 that something had to change if they were to get over the line. That summer forward Lionel Messi left to join Inter Miami and Neymar was sold to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. It marked the start of the end for the 'Galactico' era, with Mbappe's departure 12 months later bringing it to a close. In their absence, Luis Enrique built an all-action, high-pressing side in his image, based on the collective rather than the individual. In Europe this season PSG started poorly and finished the group stage in 15th place. But, inspired by January signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, PSG have beaten four English clubs - Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal - in the knockout stages. This video can not be played Inter go through to finals in chaotic seven goal semi-final Inter's semi-final victory against Barcelona will go down asone of the greatesttwo-legged contests in Champions League history. Barcelona, led by 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, were outdone by the experience and know-how of Simone Inzaghi's Inter. Inzaghi named 10 players over the age of 25 in Tuesday's starting line-up, while Barcelona had six. Francesco Acerbi, 37, became the second-oldest scorer in Champions League knockout history when he netted a 93rd-minute equaliser to take the tie to extra time at the San Siro. Yan Sommer, 36, joined Inter for £5m following Andre Onana's £44m move to Manchester United in 2023. The Swiss goalkeeper made a number of vital stops to keep Inter in the tie before Acerbi's dramatic goal. Midfielders Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Hakan Calhanoglu have a combined age of 67. Like PSG, Inter have faced dismissive comments from fans who mock the quality of Serie A. But Inzaghi's side knocked out Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals and finished fourth in the group stage table, losing only one of their eight matches. Winners of Serie A in two of the past four seasons, Inter have won the European Cup three times, most recently in 2010 under Mourinho. Arsenal were the only English side to reach the last four of the Champions League, but the Europa League final could be played between two familiar foes from the Premier League. United and Tottenham hold aggregate leads going into the semi-final second legs of the Europa League on Thursday. Should they reach the final in Bilbao on 21 May, they will meet for a fourth time this season. Tottenham, two-time winners of the Uefa Cup, are looking to win the Europa League for the first time since 1984, while United last won it in 2017 and finished runners-up four years later. Much has been made of the fact that two Premier League sides who have languished in the division's bottom half for most of the season could face off in the Europa League final. Should Tottenham, who are 16th in the Premier League, or United, who are 15th, win the Europa League, they will be the lowest-placed winners in the competition's history. In the Conference League, Swedish side Djurgarden must overturn a 4-1 semi-final first-leg deficit at Stamford Bridge on Thursday. Chelsea, two-time winners of the Champions League, are overwhelming favourites to win the Conference League. Should they do so, they will become the first club to win the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
'The league of farmers?' How PSG and Inter defied the odds
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"PSG and Inter Milan Reach Champions League Final, Breaking Tradition of Major Leagues"
Bbc News
7.1
TruthLens AI Summary
The upcoming UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan on May 31 marks a significant departure from tradition, as it will be the first final in 21 years without a representative from the Premier League, Bundesliga, or La Liga. Historically, at least one club from these leagues has reached the final since 2004, leading to a perception among some fans that leagues outside these top three are of lesser quality. PSG manager Luis Enrique humorously referenced this notion after his team's victory over Arsenal, highlighting the common dismissive phrase 'the league of farmers' used by some English supporters to belittle other domestic leagues. Despite this perception, both PSG and Inter have demonstrated their capability to compete at the highest level, overcoming numerous challenges to reach the final and challenging the narrative surrounding the strength of their leagues. PSG, under Enrique's leadership, has redefined its approach after a tumultuous period marked by the departures of star players like Lionel Messi and Neymar, focusing on a collective team effort rather than individual brilliance. This strategic shift has allowed them to triumph over notable English clubs in the knockout stages, signaling their resilience and adaptability in European competition.
Inter Milan's journey to the final has also been remarkable, particularly highlighted by their thrilling semi-final against Barcelona, which showcased the experience of their veteran players against the youthful talent of their opponents. Under manager Simone Inzaghi, Inter has successfully combined experienced players with emerging talent, demonstrating their depth and tactical acumen. The team's ability to navigate through tough matches, including a quarter-final victory over Bayern Munich, underscores their competitive spirit in a league often criticized for its quality. While Arsenal remains the only English side in the final stages this season, the Europa League is set to feature two Premier League teams, potentially leading to a familiar showdown. With intriguing matchups across European competitions, the results have sparked discussions about the evolving landscape of football and the competitiveness of leagues beyond the traditional powerhouses. As the Champions League final approaches, both PSG and Inter aim to challenge existing perceptions and assert their place in European football history.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article provides an intriguing perspective on the upcoming Champions League final, particularly highlighting the absence of clubs from the traditional top leagues. This situation raises questions about the perceived quality of European football and the dominance of the Premier League, Bundesliga, and La Liga. The mention of PSG and Inter Milan reaching the final is significant, as it challenges long-held beliefs about football hierarchy.
Perception of League Quality
The reference to the term "league of farmers" reflects a dismissive attitude often held by fans of more established leagues toward those perceived as less competitive. This commentary by PSG's manager, Luis Enrique, serves to draw attention to the stigma associated with leagues outside the big three. By using this phrase humorously, he attempts to turn the narrative around, suggesting that PSG and Inter’s success is a testament to the quality of their respective leagues.
Implications for the Premier League
The absence of a Premier League team in the final can be seen as a blow to its reputation. The article implies that the Premier League’s dominance may be more fragile than previously thought. This could lead to a reevaluation of how fans and analysts view the competitiveness of other leagues, potentially diminishing the perceived superiority of the English league.
Underlying Messages
While the article celebrates the achievements of PSG and Inter, it may also downplay the challenges faced by these clubs in their domestic leagues. PSG's dominance in Ligue 1, achieved with minimal competition, raises questions about the overall competitiveness of the league. This aspect might be glossed over to maintain the narrative of success and challenge the established order of European football.
Manipulative Elements
There is an undertone of manipulation in how the narrative is framed. By emphasizing the absence of the top three leagues, the article could be attempting to elevate the status of PSG and Inter while subtly undermining the Premier League's reputation. The language used, including humor and irony, serves to engage readers while simultaneously pushing a particular viewpoint.
Overall Reliability
The article appears to be based on factual events, such as the teams reaching the final and the historical context of previous Champions League winners. However, the selective focus on certain narratives suggests a degree of bias. The overall reliability is moderate; while it discusses real achievements, it also pushes an agenda that may not fully reflect the complexities of European football.
Given these insights, the article serves to challenge established perceptions while promoting a narrative that elevates PSG and Inter, possibly at the expense of the Premier League's reputation.