Deciding Fate: Champions League Final and Aging Inter's Fortune
Inter Milan, a stalwart of European football, are poised to challenge Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Champions League final, two years after a narrow defeat by Manchester City marred their last final appearance. Coach Simone Inzaghi sees the upcoming fixture as an opportunity to avenge Istanbul and secure Inter's fourth Champions League title.
Inter, a member of Europe's old guard, face a tough task against the Qatari-owned PSG, a club with a budget far surpassing Inter's. Inzaghi acknowledged the challenge, having seen his team fall short in the 2023 final against City, who boast an enviable roster of prize-winning athletes.
With domestic honors out of reach, the Champions League final stands as Inter's last hope for silverware this season. Inzaghi expressed his conviction that his team is capable of surmounting this final hurdle, drawing strength from their previous final experience and the determination that has fueled their run thus far.
Inter have already demonstrated their mettle by overcoming formidable opponents, including Bayern Munich and Barcelona, two of the pre-season favorites for Champions League glory. Their pulsating semi-final battle with Barca showcased their ability to compete with high-pressing, youthful teams despite fielding a squad with many players approaching the end of their careers.
The average age of Inter's preferred starting XI is over 30, with key players such as goalkeeper Yann Sommer, two-time cancer survivor Francesco Acerbi, and midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan all in their late 30s. In contrast, the oldest player in the PSG squad is Marquinhos, who is comparably young at 31, with central defender Acerbi reigning supreme in terms of age.
The campaign has taken a toll on the Inter team, with their Serie A title bid fading due to a string of defeats in the final weeks. The team's faltering domestic form notwithstanding, Inzaghi believes the players have shown remarkable courage throughout the season, giving their all in every match.
Since the 2023 final, Inzaghi has led Inter to new heights, steering the team through significant challenges, including a series of high-profile departures and an enforced takeover by US firm Oaktree Capital Management. Unlike PSG, who can splash out over 70 million euros to recruit Serie A's most exciting talent, Inter have had to make do with shrewd acquisitions to stay competitive.
One example of this savvy strategy can be found in goalkeeper Yann Sommer. Acquired for less than seven million euros in 2023, Sommer is part of a core group of just three players not part of Inter's first-choice lineup two years ago. He voices his confidence in the team's ability to repeat their semi-final magic against PSG, acknowledging the value of their prior final experience.
Inzaghi and Inter face a stiff test against the star-studded PSG, but the Italian club's grit and determination may just be enough to secure a fourth Champions League title. The match promises to be a thrilling contest between Inter's seasoned veterans and PSG's impressive array of young talent.
© 2025 AFP
[References replaced with numerical citations to refer to the Enrichment Data]
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- In the upcoming Champions League final, Inter Milan, a renowned football club from Italy and champion of European leagues, will compete against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
- Simone Inzaghi, the coach of Inter Milan, views the Champions League final as an opportunity to avenge their defeat against Manchester City in 2023 and secure Inter's fourth Champions League title, improving on their previous record of winning the competition thrice.
- Despite having a lower budget compared to PSG, Inter Milan has demonstrated its footballing prowess by overcoming powerhouses like Bayern Munich and Barcelona in the European Champions League, showcasing their resilience and determination.
