Simone: ‘Inter extra gear compared to PSG for Champions League Final’

Italian Simone played for Paris Saint-Germain from 1997 to 1999, though his career was mainly associated with Milan.

“Inter are a modern team, well-organised and very efficient in their 3-5-2 formation,” Simone told RMC Sport in France.

“Compared to PSG, I think they have an extra gear, especially in physicality. Players like Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Hakan Calhanoglu, despite being over 30, represent the pulsating heart of the Inter midfield.

“Plus there’s Nicolò Barella, who despite his small stature, is a concentrated cluster of energy and intensity.”

Paris Saint-Germain had a massive budget to construct their squad and a far higher wage bill than Inter, yet Simone sees them have more strength in depth.

“It’s not just about the starting players, those who come off the bench maintain the same physical and tactical level for the team. And that can be crucial if the game goes beyond 90 minutes.

“In that sense, I do believe Inter can have more weapons at their disposal for the Final than PSG. Inter have two teams today, we see it in Serie A and the Champions League, where they can change six or seven, even eight players.

“I’m not 100 per cent sure if PSG did the same thing, they would have similar results.”