Paris Saint-Germain's first season without Kylian Mbappe has been smooth sailing, spearheaded by the tactical and identity changes implemented by Luis Enrique. 

Mbappe departed the French capital for Real Madrid at the end of last season, and has gone on to replicate his goal-scoring exploits under Carlo Ancelotti. 

But for Mbappe, he ended his maiden season in Madrid without a trophy, while PSG will do battle with Inter on Saturday in the Champions League final in Munich. 

The Parisiens are making just their second ever appearance in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League final, losing 1-0 against Bayern Munich in 2019-20 previously.

They remain the last French side to win a major European trophy – the 1995-96 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, but are the favourites this time around. 

That is because of the philosophy instilled by Luis Enrique, who has shifted away from the superstar-based model towards a more disciplined, yet youthful philosophy. 

Lionel Messi and Neymar are just some of the star-studded names to turn out for PSG over the years, but the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Joao Neves are now household names among European football's elite competition. 

Luis Enrique, known for his abrasive and uncompromising personality, made his intentions clear early in his tenure.

"Our game does not consist in letting Mbappe do what he wants," he said last season in a documentary centred around his spell at PSG, when the forward made public his decision to leave as a free agent.

"That was the old philosophy (of the club), which never won a major trophy."

The message was unmistakable - and the culture around the club changed, leading them to yet another domestic treble this season. 

"There's been a shift in the mindset this season," Dembele said last week. "The coach handled everything."

Luis Enrique's tenure has seen the return of intense training sessions, strict tactical demands and an insistence on collective responsibility, with no player absolved of defensive duties.

His confrontational, no-nonsense approach stands in stark contrast to the player-driven environment of recent years, which insiders say often prioritised keeping marquee names content over footballing coherence.

The results have been immediate, with PSG wrapping up another Ligue 1 title, as well as clinching a record-extending 16th Coupe de France crown against Reims last week. 

This season has seen PSG both win their most games (10) and score their most goals (33) in a single major European campaign.

They've also registered their most shots per game (18.6) in a Champions League season on record since Opta began recording this data back in 2003-04.

When Mbappe made clear last season that he would leave, the club sought to fight the France forward's departure, but Luis Enrique was all smiles.

"If I think I'll do better next season? No doubt," Luis Enrique said. 

"Because the fact that having one player who can do whatever he wants on the pitch implies there are situations I cannot control. 

"Next season, I will control all of them. Without exception."