While Inter Milan may not be the frontrunners heading into the Champions League final, their exhilarating journey to Saturday’s clash against Paris Saint-Germain illustrates that this seasoned Italian team can compete with the elite.
Under the guidance of Simone Inzaghi, the squad arrives in Munich with a genuine opportunity to improve upon their performance from two years ago in Istanbul, where a similar team narrowly succumbed to Manchester City.
Inzaghi regarded the 2023 final as a missed chance, as his side matched the wealth of City — whose financial prowess far exceeds that of Inter, a storied institution grappling to keep pace with Europe’s financial powerhouses.
The Qatari-owned PSG represents a chance for Inter to finally banish the memories of Istanbul while concluding a captivating season by securing the most coveted trophy in club football, having missed out on domestic titles.
“The club and, above all, the players are aware that we are on the brink of making history,” Inzaghi remarked to the media on Monday.
“Having previously reached the final certainly aids us, but we must also recognise that on the opposing side are players who have lifted the World Cup and participated in numerous finals, along with a coach who has already won the Champions League.”
Inter has successfully navigated thrilling encounters against Bayern Munich and Barcelona, both of whom were considered pre-tournament favourites for the Champions League.
The remarkable semi-final against Barcelona showcased their ability to hold their ground against a dynamic, high-pressing side, even as their squad comprises players nearing the twilight of their careers.
The average age of Inter’s preferred starting XI exceeds 30, with pivotal figures such as goalkeeper Yann Sommer, two-time cancer survivor Francesco Acerbi, and midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan all aged 36 or 37.
In stark contrast, the oldest player in the PSG line-up is Marquinhos, who, at 31, is considerably younger than central defender Acerbi.
Experienced Heads, Fatigued Legs
This taxing season, during which Inter fought relentlessly for the Serie A title until the very end, has evidently weighed on the ageing squad, with the Barcelona contest marking a notable highlight in a challenging closing stretch.
Inter once looked poised to secure a treble after defeating Bayern in the quarter-finals last month, boasting a healthy three-point advantage over their Scudetto rivals Napoli and a semi-final place in the Italian Cup against the struggling AC Milan.
However, their momentum was halted by three consecutive losses within a week, allowing Napoli to take control in Serie A and bringing an abrupt end to their domestic cup aspirations, leaving the Champions League as their sole avenue for silverware.
“There has been considerable suffering among the players; there’s no point in pretending otherwise
“The lads have been exceptional this season, as we have played 59 matches and given our all on the pitch. We didn’t favour any particular competition; we simply aimed to leave everything we had on the field.”
Since losing the 2023 final, Inzaghi has propelled Inter to new heights, even after a series of high-profile exits and an enforced takeover by US investment firm Oaktree last year, following previous owners Suning defaulting on a debt of approximately 395 million euros ($449 million).
Unlike PSG, who can comfortably spend over 70 million euros to acquire Serie A’s most exciting talent, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Inter has had to make savvy acquisitions to remain competitive.
Sommer, who joined for less than seven million euros in 2023, is one of just three players — along with Frenchman Marcus Thuram and Benjamin Pavard — in Inter’s starting line-up on Saturday who weren’t part of the squad two years prior.
“We’ve displayed bravery in every match throughout our Champions League campaign, and that’s why we’ve reached the final,” Sommer stated on Monday.
“Many of our players participated in the final two years ago, and that experience will prove invaluable for us as a team.“
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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