Underdog tag shrugged off by Inter manager Inzaghi ahead of Champions League showdown with PSG
In the highly-anticipated UEFA Champions League final on Saturday, evening at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Inter Milan will face Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in a bid to claim their fourth trophy of the season. The Nerazzurri are determined to secure redemption after narrowly missing out on the Serie A title and losing in the Coppa Italia semi-finals, while PSG seeks its maiden European triumph.
Inter's Simone Inzaghi expressed confidence in his players, likening the match to close encounters of the past. "Big matches are often closer than people imagine," he said. "Our success is not dictated by player salaries but their performance on the field. We were underdogs a few years ago against Manchester City and may have come up short, but we gave it everything we had."
Inzaghi expects his squad to be fully fit for the final, a rarity for him this season. "This is the match I've dreamed of playing as a kid, and I haven't made it here as a player, but thanks to these players, I've made it as a coach twice," he added. "We're determined to win, but it's not an obsession. We have World Cup and Champions League winners on our team, and we know how to prepare for such games."
Inter advanced through the Champions League after finishing the group stage in fourth place, overcoming Feyenoord in the last-16, disposing of Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, and edging past Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate in the semis, following a 13-goal extravaganza over two legs. Inzaghi hopes his team can take confidence from these performances. "We will play to our strengths," he said. "We're up against a team that is also well-prepared and possesses many qualities."
While Inter Milan boasts two European Cup victories prior to the competition's transformation into the Champions League in 1992, and a third under Jose Mourinho in 2010, PSG remains without a European title in either its former or current guise. Inzaghi acknowledges the challenge posed by PSG and their accomplished coach Luis Enrique, whom he admires personally and professionally.
Should Inter Milan triumph on Saturday, they will face Tottenham Hotspur in the European Super Cup final in August, as the English club won the Europa League on May 21, 2025. Skipper Lautaro Martinez emphasized the importance of remaining focused on their current opponents, stating, "We must bring out the perfect performance on Saturday night."
The Champions League final between Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is an international sports event, marking their journey in the European leagues. Inter's Simone Inzaghi, drawing from past experiences, believes the match will be closer than anticipated. He reminds his team of their underdog status in the past, but encourages them to perform passionately, as they did against Manchester City. Should Inter Milan become champions, they will face Tottenham Hotspur in the European Super Cup final, highlighting the prospect of more international football in their future.
