Inter Milan is set to compete against PSG in the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League final on May 31st. While the French club is making their second-ever appearance in the final, Inter boasts a significantly richer history in the competition. The Nerazzurri have lifted the trophy three times, most recently in 2010 under Jose Mourinho. They were also finalists just two years prior, losing 1-0 to Pep Guardiola`s Manchester City in 2023. Under the guidance of Simone Inzaghi, the team has shown consistent strength in Europe this season, finishing within the top eight of the competition`s inaugural League Phase under the new 2024-25 format. Having come so close recently, Inter now has another opportunity to claim the prestigious trophy. Here is an overview of their journey to the final:
The League Phase
Inter began their campaign impressively in the new League Phase, which replaces the traditional group stage with a single table of 36 teams. Each team plays eight matches against different opponents, split evenly between home and away fixtures. The Nerazzurri started with a 0-0 away draw at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City, a repeat of the 2023 final. Two weeks later, the Italian giants secured a dominant 4-0 home victory at San Siro against Crvena Zvezda, with goals from Hakan Calhanoglu, Marko Arnautovic, Lautaro Martinez, and a late penalty from Mehdi Taremi. Their campaign included a 1-0 away win with a late goal from Marcus Thuram (opponent unnamed in sequence), a 1-0 home win against Arsenal thanks to a penalty from Calhanoglu, and another 1-0 home victory over RB Leipzig. Their only defeat in the league phase came away against Bayer Leverkusen, losing 1-0. Inter secured wins in their final two matches: a 1-0 away victory against Sparta Prague with a goal from Lautaro Martinez, and a convincing 3-0 home win (opponent unnamed) featuring a Lautaro hat-trick. Finishing fourth in the League Phase table, Inter earned direct qualification for the Round of 16, avoiding the play-offs. They boasted the best defensive record in the phase, conceding only one goal, while scoring 11 and winning six out of eight games.
The Knockout Stages
The Nerazzurri navigated the Knockout Stages effectively, starting with a comfortable tie against Feyenoord in the Round of 16. They won the first leg 2-0 away with goals from Lautaro and Thuram, before securing progression with a 2-1 victory in the second leg in Milan, courtesy of goals from the same Thuram and a Calhanoglu penalty.
In the Quarterfinals, Inter faced and overcame Bayern Munich. They secured a crucial 2-1 win in the first leg at the Allianz Arena – the very stadium where they will return for the final against PSG. Lautaro opened the scoring with a stunning goal, and after Thomas Muller equalized, Italian midfielder Davide Frattesi netted a sensational late winner. The second leg in Milan was a thrilling encounter. Harry Kane gave Bayern the lead, but Inter quickly turned the game around with two goals in three minutes from Lautaro and Benjamin Pavard. Despite Bayern finding a second equalizer, Inter held on to eliminate Vincent Kompany`s side.
However, the most significant tie on their path to the final was arguably the standout matchup of the season – the Semifinals against Barcelona. The first leg at Estadio Lluis Companys ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw. Inter took early leads through Thuram and Denzel Dumfries, but Barcelona responded before halftime via Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez. Dumfries restored Inter`s lead, only for an own goal by Yann Sommer to level the score again. The return match in Milan proved to be an instant classic. Inter established a 2-0 halftime lead with goals from Lautaro and Calhanoglu. Barcelona mounted a comeback in the second half, equalizing at 2-2 by the 60th minute through Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo. Raphinha then put Barcelona ahead late on in the 87th minute, but Francesco Acerbi`s stoppage-time equalizer forced extra time in one of the most dramatic moments of the competition. In the 99th minute, substitute Davide Frattesi scored with a powerful strike, clinching a memorable 4-3 aggregate victory and sealing Inter`s spot in the final.
Adrian Whitmore