Inter Milan is set to challenge Paris Saint-Germain for the prestigious UEFA Champions League title in the 2024-25 final on May 31. While this marks only PSG`s second appearance in the competition`s climax, following a 1-0 defeat in 2020, Inter boasts a far richer history, having lifted the trophy three times. Their most recent triumph came in 2010 under José Mourinho, and they were finalists just two years prior, losing 1-0 to Manchester City in 2023. Under the guidance of Simone Inzaghi, the Nerazzurri have maintained a consistently strong performance this season, securing a spot in the top eight of the competition`s inaugural league phase, introduced with the 2024-25 format. Having come so close in Istanbul in 2023, Inter now has another golden opportunity to win the Champions League. Here`s a look back at their journey to the final.
The League Phase Performance
The campaign commenced with the new league phase format, which replaced the traditional group stage. This structure involved 36 teams competing in a single table, with each side playing eight matches against different opponents – four at home and four away. Inter began with a goalless draw away to Manchester City, a rematch of the previous final. They followed this with a commanding 4-0 victory at home against Crvena Zvezda. Subsequent positive results included winning 1-0 away with a late goal, securing another 1-0 home win via a penalty, and a 1-0 victory at home against RB Leipzig. Their only setback in this phase was a 1-0 defeat away to Bayer Leverkusen. Inter concluded the league phase strongly with a 1-0 away win and a dominant 3-0 home victory featuring a hat-trick from Lautaro Martinez in the final match. Finishing fourth overall in the league phase standings, Inter qualified directly for the Round of 16, bypassing the playoff round. A key highlight of their league phase performance was their exceptional defense, conceding just a single goal across the eight matches, while scoring 11 and registering six wins, one draw, and one loss.
Navigating the Knockout Rounds
In the knockout stages, Inter faced Feyenoord in the Round of 16. They progressed comfortably, winning the first leg 2-0 away with goals from Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram, before securing a 2-1 victory in the second leg at home, where Thuram and Hakan Calhanoglu (via a penalty) were on the scoresheet. The quarter-finals presented a stern test against Bayern Munich. Inter managed a crucial 2-1 away win at the Allianz Arena, the very stadium hosting the upcoming final against PSG. Lautaro Martinez scored a brilliant opener, and after Thomas Muller equalized, Italian midfielder Davide Frattesi netted a sensational late winner. The second leg in Milan was another intense affair. Bayern took the lead through Harry Kane, but Inter quickly turned the tie around with goals from Lautaro and Benjamin Pavard within three minutes. Despite another equalizer from Bayern, Inter held on to eliminate Vincent Kompany`s side with a 2-1 home win, securing a 4-2 aggregate victory.
However, the most memorable encounter of their run, and arguably the best match of the season, came in the semi-finals against Barcelona. The first leg at Estadio Lluis Companys was a thrilling 3-3 draw. Inter established an early lead 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 keep Barcelona in the tie. The return leg in Milan proved an instant classic. Inter again took a commanding 2-0 lead before halftime with goals from Lautaro and Calhanoglu. Barcelona staged a remarkable second-half comeback, leveling the score at 2-2 through Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo by the hour mark, and Raphinha then gave Barcelona a late 87th-minute lead. Yet, Francesco Acerbi`s dramatic stoppage-time equalizer sent the tie into extra time in one of the most dramatic moments in recent football history. Just nine minutes into extra time, substitute Davide Frattesi struck powerfully to clinch a sensational 4-3 victory on the night and a memorable aggregate win, propelling Inter into the final.
