Inter Milan has returned to the pinnacle of European club football, reaching the Champions League final once more after a thrilling semi-final victory, notably overcoming Barcelona with a 4-3 aggregate scoreline. This marks their second appearance in the final in just three seasons. Following their 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the 2023 Istanbul final, the Nerazzurri now have another opportunity to clinch the coveted European title, potentially solidifying Simone Inzaghi`s tenure as one of the most successful in the club`s recent history. But what distinguishes this Inter side from the one that fell short against Manchester City in 2023? Here are the key factors:
Enhanced European Acumen
The current Inter squad under Inzaghi possesses a different level of European experience and mental fortitude compared to the team that reached the 2023 final. Back then, their journey was widely seen as a significant surprise, facilitated by a seemingly more favorable knockout path that included victories over FC Porto, Benfica, and rivals AC Milan in the semi-finals. Just the year prior, during Inzaghi`s inaugural season, Inter was eliminated by Liverpool in the round of 16, marking their first knockout stage participation in over a decade. Under Inzaghi`s guidance, their European mindset has clearly strengthened. Prior to their current impressive run, they were narrowly defeated by Atletico Madrid on penalties in the 2024 round of 16. This season, before navigating past Barcelona in the semi-finals, the Italian giants successfully finished in the top eight of the league phase and subsequently eliminated strong opponents like Feyenoord and Bayern Munich in the earlier knockout rounds. The significant difference from 2023 is that their presence in the final last time felt almost miraculous against Pep Guardiola`s side, whereas now, there is a palpable sense of self-belief and consciousness derived from consistent progress over the years.
Lautaro Martinez`s Leadership and the `Thu-La` Effect
Since the 2023 season, Inter has a new leader on the pitch in Lautaro Martinez, who took over the captaincy after Samir Handanovic`s departure. The Argentine striker is undeniably the focal point of this team. His extraordinary effort to recover from a muscular injury in time for the crucial second leg against Barcelona at San Siro speaks volumes about his profound desire to win the Champions League. Having already achieved major international honors with Argentina – the 2022 World Cup and the Copa America in 2021 and 2024 – claiming the Champions League would likely represent the ultimate achievement in his club career. Success here could also significantly boost his prospects for individual awards like the Ballon d`Or in 2025, building on his 7th place finish last year. Compared to 2023, when he played alongside Edin Dzeko and Romelu Lukaku, his current partnership with Marcus Thuram, affectionately dubbed `Thu-La`, has evidently elevated Lautaro`s performance to new heights.
Approaching the Culmination of a Cycle
Adding another layer to their motivation, unlike clubs such as PSG or Arsenal, there is a prevailing sense that this campaign could mark the conclusion for parts of the current Inter roster, as significant changes are anticipated in the summer of 2025. Club president Giuseppe Marotta has already indicated these impending shifts, driven partly by the new American owners, Oaktree, who aim to rejuvenate the squad with younger talent while maintaining competitiveness. Some players are likely to depart regardless of the final`s outcome on May 31st, while others will remain to provide continuity for the team`s future, integrated with new, younger signings. This final feels like it could be the last concerted effort for this specific group before a strategic rebuild begins. Crucially, this planned evolution differs from the aftermath of the historic 2010 Treble-winning side under Jose Mourinho, where sustaining that elite level proved challenging. The current initiative aims to ensure the club remains at the top tier of European football even as personnel changes occur.
