Inter Milan is set to compete against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final on May 31st. While PSG is participating in only their second ever final (having lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich in 2020), Inter boasts a far richer history in the competition. The Nerazzurri have lifted the trophy three times, most recently in 2010 under Jose Mourinho, and were finalists just two years prior, losing 1-0 to Pep Guardiola`s Manchester City in 2023. Under Simone Inzaghi, Inter has demonstrated consistent strength in Europe this season, securing a spot among the top eight in the inaugural league phase introduced for the 2024-25 edition. After their 2023 final appearance in Istanbul, Inter now has another opportunity to claim the Champions League title. Here is a look at their path to the final:
The League Phase
Inter commenced their campaign strongly in the new league format, which replaced the traditional group stage. The new structure features 36 teams ranked in a single table, with each team playing eight matches against different opponents (four home, four away). The Nerazzurri began with a 0-0 away draw at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City, a repeat of the 2023 final. Two weeks later, they secured a dominant 4-0 home victory against Crvena Zvezda at San Siro, with goals from Hakan Calhanoglu, Marko Arnautovic, Lautaro Martinez, and a penalty from Mehdi Taremi.
Their strong form continued with a 1-0 away win on October 23rd, sealed by a late goal from French striker Marcus Thuram. They then won 1-0 at San Siro against Arsenal, thanks to a penalty converted by Turkish midfielder Calhanoglu. The Italian side registered another 1-0 home win against RB Leipzig before suffering their only defeat in the league phase, a 1-0 loss away to Bayer Leverkusen. Inter concluded the initial phase with two more wins: a 1-0 away victory against Sparta Prague (goal by Lautaro Martinez) and a 3-0 home win in their final match, highlighted by a Lautaro hat-trick.
Finishing fourth in the league phase, Inter qualified directly for the Round of 16, avoiding the play-offs. They boasted the best defense in the league phase, conceding only one goal while scoring 11, achieving six wins from their eight matches.
The Knockout Stages
Inter navigated the knockout rounds with relative ease in the earlier stages. They comfortably eliminated Feyenoord in the Round of 16, winning the first leg 2-0 away (goals from Lautaro and Thuram) and the second leg 2-1 in Milan (Thuram and Calhanoglu`s penalty).
In the quarterfinals, Inter faced and overcame Bayern Munich. They secured a crucial 2-1 first-leg victory at the Allianz Arena – the very stadium hosting the final against PSG. Lautaro scored a spectacular opener, Bayern equalized through Thomas Muller, but Italian midfielder Davide Frattesi scored a sensational late winner in Munich. The second leg at San Siro was a thrilling encounter where Harry Kane initially gave Bayern the lead, but Inter quickly turned the tie around with two goals in three minutes from Lautaro and Benjamin Pavard. Despite Bayern`s equalizer, Inter successfully knocked out the team coached by Vincent Kompany.
However, their most significant tie en route to the final, and arguably the best match of the season, was the semifinal clash against Barcelona.
The first leg at Estadio Lluis Companys was a six-goal thriller ending 3-3. Inter took an early lead through Thuram and Denzel Dumfries, only for Barcelona to respond before halftime via Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez. Dumfries restored Inter`s advantage, but an own goal from Yann Sommer ensured Barcelona remained in contention heading into the return leg. The match in Milan proved to be an instant classic. Inter again led 2-0 by halftime, thanks to goals from Lautaro and Calhanoglu. Barcelona mounted a second-half comeback, leveling the score at 2-2 by the 60th minute with goals from Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo. Raphinha then put Barcelona ahead late in the 87th minute, but Francesco Acerbi`s dramatic stoppage-time equalizer forced extra time in one of the sport`s most memorable moments. In the 99th minute, substitute Frattesi struck a powerful shot to seal a dramatic 4-3 aggregate victory and send Inter to the final.
Dominic Ashworth