Inter Milan’s journey in the Champions League has seen them reach the semi-finals on nine occasions, placing them outside the top five teams in terms of appearances at this stage.
Their local rivals AC Milan hold the record for Italian teams with 13 semi-final appearances, followed by Juventus with 12.
Out of Inter’s eight previous appearances in the European Cup/Champions League semi-finals, they have emerged victorious in five and went on to win the tournament three times. Their initial success came in the 1963-64 and 1964-65 editions when they clinched back-to-back European Cup titles by defeating Real Madrid and Benfica in the finals.
In the following years, Inter continued to impress in the competition, reaching the semi-finals in three consecutive editions. However, they experienced a defeat against Real Madrid in the 1967 final and were unable to lift the trophy. After a hiatus from the European Cup, Inter returned in 1971-72 and reached the semi-finals again, overcoming Celtic in a penalty shootout but falling short against Ajax in the final.
In the modern era of the Champions League, Inter reached the semi-finals twice. In the 2002-03 season, they faced AC Milan in a thrilling encounter that ended in controversial fashion as they lost on away goals after a 1-1 draw over two legs. The bitter rivalry between the Milan clubs adds an extra layer of motivation for Inter to seek revenge in their upcoming semi-final clash.
Inter’s most recent semi-final success came in the 2009-10 season when they defeated Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate. Led by manager Jose Mourinho, they went on to win the final against Bayern Munich, completing a historic treble and cementing their place in football history.
As the Nerazzurri prepare to face AC Milan in the Champions League semi-final, they will draw inspiration from their past successes at this stage. Their rich European history and their ability to triumph in crucial matches make them a formidable opponent as they strive to add another Champions League title to their collection.
