Inter Milan will anticipate playing as significant underdogs in their “dream” first Champions League final in 13 years.
On Wednesday, Real Madrid and Manchester City will square off to determine who will face whom in Istanbul on June 10 (20:00 BST).
Inter vice president Javier Zanetti was quick to declare his preference of avoiding record 14-time champions Real after completing a 3-0 aggregate victory over bitter rivals AC Milan.
Former captain Zanetti stated, “I would like to avoid Real Madrid because the competition seems made for them.
Nevertheless, football writer Guillem Balague thinks it is “a miracle” that three-time champion Inter has advanced this far, regardless of what happens in the championship game.
In a group that also included Barcelona, the Nerazzurri came in second place to Bayern Munich before going on to defeat Portuguese clubs Porto and Benfica and win the first Milan derby in European competition in 20 years.
Manager Simone Inzaghi stated, “We will realize what we did in the coming days.”
Although it was a dream to us, we always had faith in it.It was a remarkable journey, and winning a derby in the semifinals in this manner is very satisfying.
Two of the top teams in Europe are Madrid and City.
World Cup winner Lautaro Martinez echoed his manager’s sentiments after scoring the lone goal in the second leg on Tuesday to start the Inter fans’ celebrations.
Real Madrid or Manchester City
The last time Inter won the Champions League was in their 2010 final against Bayern Munich, which Jose Mourinho orchestrated.
To defeat Real Madrid or Manchester City, who are deadlocked after the first leg in Spain at 1-1, they will need an unexpected victory of maybe larger significance.
Owen Hargreaves, a Champions League champion with Manchester United, told BT Sport that “Real or City would be heavy favorites, but Inter are a well-balanced side.”
They are going to face a fantastic team, he continued. But they will want to do the task right away. Whoever they face in the championship will have to deal with them.
This season, Inter was unable to challenge Napoli for the Serie A crown and are currently 17 points down.
The last time Inter won the Champions League was in their 2010 final against Bayern Munich, which Jose Mourinho orchestrated.
To defeat Real Madrid or Manchester City, who are deadlocked after the first leg in Spain at 1-1, they will need an unexpected victory of maybe larger significance.
Owen Hargreaves, a Champions League champion with Manchester United, told BT Sport that “Real or City would be heavy favorites, but Inter are a well-balanced side.”
They are going to face a fantastic team, he continued. But they will want to do the task right away. Whoever they face in the championship will have to deal with them.
This season, Inter was unable to challenge Napoli for the Serie A crown and are currently 17 points down.
Zanetti, a member of Inter’s 2010 Champions League-winning team, was eager to avoid Real, but he did not lose sight of what the club had accomplished.
It is a powerful feeling. After 13 years, the group deserved to participate in a Champions League final, Zanetti told Sky Italia.
“What this group has done is very important, but we are waiting to learn who our opponents are. “It was a challenging route, but getting there is what matters most.
