News Focus
- Only two Italian players still have a chance to win the Champions League trophy this season
- Riccardo Calafiori will feature in the final after Arsenal defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1 on aggregate
- Matteo Cardinali could face him if Paris Saint-Germain protect their 5-4 lead against Bayern Munich tonight
- Just five Italians have previously won Europe’s top club competition with foreign sides
- The 19-year-old Cardinali joined PSG from AS Roma on a free transfer last summer
The race for European glory has reached its final stages. Only two Italian footballers remain in contention for this season’s Champions League title. One has already secured his place in the final. The other faces a decisive semi-final clash this evening.
Riccardo Calafiori will definitely appear in the showpiece match. The defender helped Arsenal overcome Atletico Madrid 2-1 on aggregate across two legs. The North London club now awaits the winner of the other semi-final.
The second Italian hopeful is Matteo Cardinali. The young goalkeeper plays for Paris Saint-Germain. The French side hold a narrow 5-4 advantage over Bayern Munich ahead of the second leg in Germany tonight. If PSG progress, Cardinali will face Calafiori in the final.
History suggests this achievement would be rare. Very few Italians have lifted this trophy with clubs outside their homeland. Only five players have managed this feat. Christian Panucci won the competition with Real Madrid in 1994 and again in 1998. Thiago Motta claimed victory with Barcelona in 2006. Jorginho and Emerson Palmieri both triumphed with Chelsea in 2021. Gianluigi Donnarumma secured the title with PSG in 2025. Motta also won with Inter Milan in 2010, though that was with an Italian club.
Cardinali brings an interesting background to the pitch. The 19-year-old was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He holds an Italian passport and has represented Italy at Under-19 level. He began his career at AS Roma. Last summer, he moved to PSG on a free transfer. He has made two senior appearances for the Parisians this term.
Kenyan supporters will watch with keen interest tonight. The match kicks off at the Allianz Arena. PSG must defend their one-goal lead from the first leg. The winner will book a date with Calafiori and Arsenal in the final.