Inter Milan may not be the favourites to win the Champions League final, but their exciting journey to Saturday’s match against Paris Saint-Germain shows they can still compete with the best teams in Europe.
Coach Simone Inzaghi’s side heads to Munich hoping to do better than they did two years ago in Istanbul, when they lost a close final to Manchester City. Many of the same players are still part of the team today.
Inzaghi believes they missed a big chance in 2023 because they played well against Manchester City, even though City had a much bigger budget. Inter, an older and historic club, is still trying to keep up with Europe’s richest teams.
Now, playing against Qatar-owned PSG gives Inter another chance—not only to get over the heartbreak of losing in Istanbul but also to finish this exciting season with the top trophy in club football. They have already missed out on winning in Italy, so this match means a lot.
“The club and the players know that we’re one step away from making history,” said Inzaghi on Monday.
He added that having already played in a Champions League final gives his team experience. But he also admitted that PSG has players who have won the World Cup and taken part in other finals, as well as a coach who already has a Champions League title.
Inter have reached this stage by beating strong teams like Bayern Munich and Barcelona—two clubs many people expected to win the title this season.
Inter’s amazing semi-final against Barcelona proved that they can still compete with fast, high-energy teams, even though most of their players are getting older.
The average age of Inter’s usual starting lineup is just over 30. Some of their most important players—like goalkeeper Yann Sommer, defender Francesco Acerbi (a two-time cancer survivor), and midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan—are all 36 or older, with Acerbi already 37.
In contrast, the oldest player in PSG’s squad is Marquinhos, who is just 31—making him seem young when compared to Inter’s veteran players like Acerbi.
Inter’s Old Warriors Prepare for One Last Battle
Inter’s long season, which saw them fight for the Serie A title until the final day, took a toll on their aging squad. Their thrilling semi-final against Barcelona stood out during a tough few weeks. Hopes of a treble faded after three straight losses in a week, handing Napoli the league lead and ending Inter’s Italian Cup run. The Champions League is now their only chance at silverware.
Coach Simone Inzaghi admitted the team struggled after missing out on the Serie A title but praised the players for giving everything in 59 matches. Despite losing key players and undergoing a club takeover by Oaktree due to financial issues, Inzaghi has kept Inter competitive.
Unlike PSG, who can afford big-money signings like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Inter relied on smart, low-cost transfers. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer, bought for less than €7 million, and Frenchmen Thuram and Pavard are the only new faces in the starting XI since their 2023 final.
“We’ve been brave in every match. That’s why we’re in the final,” said Sommer. “Having many players with past final experience helps us a lot.”
