In what will be remembered as one of the most unpredictable seasons in recent football history, 2025 has reshaped the balance of power in European and global football.
This year, underdogs have taken centre stage, lifting trophies once thought to be out of their reach and sending shockwaves through the sport’s traditional elite.
As Chelsea and Inter Milan prepare for their respective finals against Real Betis and Paris Saint-Germain, the question looms: can they survive the final test in a year ruled by surprises?
A season defined by surprise champions
The 2024–25 campaign has been anything but ordinary. Newcastle United, a club that hadn’t won domestic silverware in 70 years, lifted the EFL Cup after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Wembley. That alone would have made headlines, but it was only the beginning.
Crystal Palace stunned Manchester City, Europe’s most dominant team in recent years, with a gritty 1-0 win in the FA Cup final, their first-ever major trophy.
Across London, Tottenham Hotspur, after a dismal domestic season that saw them finish 17th in the Premier League, found redemption in Europe by defeating Manchester United 1-0 to claim the Europa League title.
On the continent, Bologna captured the Coppa Italia, beating Milan 1-0 and ending their own decades-long trophy drought.
Further afield, Indian side FC Goa, Afghanistan’s Abu Muslim, and even non-league Aldershot Town wrote their own fairytale endings, winning national and regional titles against all odds.
Strategy over spending
These victories signal a clear shift in football’s power dynamics. For years, elite clubs banked on transfer war chests, marquee signings, and global brand appeal to dominate.
But 2025 has proven that meticulous strategy, tactical flexibility, and raw hunger can outshine multi-million euro squads.
Managers like Eddie Howe (Newcastle), Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace), and Ange Postecoglou (Tottenham) have shown that belief and unity can make up for a lack of resources.
Their squads weren’t the deepest, but they were cohesive, well-drilled, and resilient under pressure.
The impending finals: can the giants deliver?
As this trend intensifies, the pressure now shifts to Chelsea and Inter Milan. Both clubs face tough opponents in their respective finals, Real Betis and Paris Saint-Germain, but the context surrounding these matches has dramatically changed.
Chelsea, despite their financial muscle and star-studded squad, now face the psychological weight of a possible upset against Betis, a team with fewer resources but growing tactical nous.
Inter Milan, having had a stable and impressive run domestically, now prepare to face PSG, another European superpower, in a clash that could go either way.
Given the fate of their fellow elite clubs this season, neither Chelsea nor Inter can afford to underestimate their opponents.
They’ll not only be battling for silverware but also for the reputation of Europe’s football aristocracy.
A message to the establishment
2025’s underdog victories have sent a loud and clear message: the days of predictable outcomes are over.
Football is no longer just about wealth and reputation. It’s about courage, adaptability, and belief.
For fans of smaller clubs, this season has been a dream come true. For the sport itself, it’s a return to its most compelling form, a game where anything is possible, and every team has a fighting chance.
The takeaway
As Chelsea and Inter Milan prepare for their crucial finals, the pressure isn’t just to win, it’s to uphold the prestige of Europe’s footballing elite.
But if 2025 has taught us anything, it’s that football belongs to those who dare. And right now, the underdogs are daring the loudest.