Inter Milan will face a challenging task as they aim to defy the odds and secure victory in the Champions League final against Manchester City on Saturday.
Since their last triumph in the 2009-10 season, Inter Milan has struggled to progress beyond the quarter-finals of the tournament. However, this season, they have already proven their critics wrong by reaching the final.
As they prepare to take on Manchester City in Istanbul, Inter Milan is determined to continue their impressive journey and crush City’s dreams of securing a historic Treble.
With three previous victories in the competition, Inter Milan is eager to add a fourth European triumph to their illustrious history.
Group stage
The Nerazzurri were drawn in a difficult Group C alongside European heavyweights Bayern Munich and Barcelona, as well as Czech champions Viktoria Plzen.
After a defeat and a win against Bayern and Plzen respectively, Inter put themselves in command in the race for second place by overcoming Barca 1-0 at the San Siro through Hakan Calhanoglu’s effort.
A thrilling 3-3 draw at the Camp Nou a week later meant progression as runners-up could be sealed if they beat Plzen in the following match — and they did so in emphatic style with a 4-0 success.
That result dumped the Blaugrana out at the group stage for the second season running and meant Inter’s knockout place was already secured prior to another 2-0 loss at Bayern.
Round of 16
First leg: Porto 0-0 Inter Milan. Second leg: Inter 1-0 Porto. (Inter win 1-0 on agg)
In their first-leg encounter, both Inter and Group B winners Porto squandered numerous opportunities before Romelu Lukaku, who came off the bench, found the back of the net in the 85th minute to secure the victory.
After Lukaku’s initial header struck the post, the Chelsea loanee reacted quickly to score on the rebound. This goal proved to be the decisive moment in the tie, as the second leg in Portugal ended in a goalless draw.
Lukaku’s impact off the bench and his persistence in seizing the opportunity played a crucial role in Inter’s triumph over Porto.
Quarter-finals
First leg: Benfica 0-2 Inter Milan. Second leg: Inter 3-3 Benfica. (Inter win 5-3 on agg)
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Some had earmarked Primera Liga outfit Benfica as outside contenders to reach the latter stages but Inter saw them off in convincing style.
A 2-0 victory at the Estadio da Luz courtesy of a Nicolo Barella header and Lukaku’s penalty handed them a major advantage to take back to the San Siro.
Progession was all but sealed after they raced into a 5-1 aggregate lead before two late goals from the Eagles made it a more respectable 3-3 on the night and 5-3 overall.
Semi-finals
First leg: AC Milan 0-2 Inter Milan. Second leg: Inter 1-0 AC Milan. (Inter win 3-0 on agg)
The ruthless efficiency Inter have exhibited throughout the competition was on show once again in their semi-final against bitter rivals AC Milan.
A dominant opening period in the first leg saw Simone Inzaghi’s men race into a 2-0 lead through Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
A fifth clean sheet in six knockout games eliminated any hopes of a dramatic second-leg turnaround for the Rossoneri in a controlled display.
And when Lautaro Martinez fired home his third Champions League goal of the campaign in the 76th minute, jubilant Inter supporters began to book their flights to Turkey’s capital.