Inter Milan is set to face Manchester City in the Champions League final in Istanbul, as they aim to secure their fourth crown in the competition.
Despite being considered underdogs, Inter’s journey to the final is a testament to the quality of the team and the managerial prowess of Simone Inzaghi.
In the group stage, Inter faced a daunting task with Bayern Munich, who won all six matches. However, Inter held their nerve and secured victories against Viktoria Plzen and Barcelona, which proved crucial in their bid to finish second behind Bayern. A thrilling 3-3 draw against Barcelona in an intense match at Camp Nou showcased Inter’s resilience.
In the last 16, Inter faced Porto in a tightly contested tie. Romelu Lukaku’s 86th-minute goal in the first leg proved decisive, and a solid defensive display in the second leg helped Inter secure their spot in the quarter-finals.
Against Benfica in the quarter-finals, Inter demonstrated their strength and dominance. Impressive performances from Alessandro Bastoni, Nicolo Barella, and Lukaku led to a 2-0 victory in the first leg in Lisbon. In the second leg, Inter further solidified their position with an early goal from Barella and strikes from Lautaro Martinez and Joaquin Correa, ultimately advancing with a comfortable aggregate score of 5-3.
In the semi-finals, Inter faced their city rivals, AC Milan, in a highly anticipated Derby della Madonnina. With goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the first leg, Inter took a commanding 2-0 lead. Milan struggled to recover from the early setback, and Inter’s 1-0 victory in the second leg sealed their place in the final.
Now, Inter Milan prepares to take on Manchester City in Istanbul, with the hope of lifting the Champions League trophy once again. Their impressive run throughout the competition has showcased their resilience, quality, and ability to overcome challenges.