Inter Milan is so special

Inter Milan thrives thanks to veterans like Yann Sommer (36 years old).

Inter Milan have written another epic chapter in European football by beating Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate in two dramatic Champions League semi-finals, thereby winning a ticket to the final. After missing out on the 2022/23 Champions League final, Inter Milan hope to rewrite history.

An emotional journey

Under the guidance of coach Simone Inzaghi, the black-and-blue team not only defeated Barcelona but also eliminated Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. This achievement led Inzaghi to proudly declare that his team had overcome “two of the strongest teams in Europe”.

The semi-final match against Barcelona was a testament to Inter Milan's indomitable spirit. By the 90+2 minute of the second leg, the Italian team was trailing 2-3 (5-6 aggregate score in favor of Barca) and was in danger of being eliminated.

But in stoppage time, 37-year-old centre-back Francesco Acerbi equalised, sending the match into extra time. In extra time, Davide Frattesi, who had missed training just a day earlier due to injury, became the hero with the decisive goal in the 105th minute.

“Frattesi had to take painkillers to play,” coach Inzaghi revealed about Inter facing many challenges in terms of personnel. “Denzel Dumfries, Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram have all had problems in the past few weeks. To reach the final, suffering is inevitable.”

Coach Inzaghi also rated Bayern Munich and Barcelona as the two best teams in Europe this season: "The match against Barcelona is extremely difficult, they have superior class. Bayern Munich is also very strong. They are two top teams."

What makes Inter special this season is that they possess a cohesive team, where players who were once underrated shine brightly. Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Marko Arnautovic and Matteo Darmian, once considered “extra” and obscure in the Premier League, have now become the pillars of Inter’s success over the past 3 seasons.

'The Leftovers' Shine

Mkhitaryan, who was part of the failed swap deal between Manchester United and Arsenal many years ago, seemed to have run out of time. However, he has found his peak form again in Italy.

At 36 years old, Henrikh Mkhitaryan is still playing very well at Inter.

Arnautovic was even protested by Manchester United fans when the English club intended to recruit the Austrian star. However, the former West Ham striker has still proven his worth with important contributions this season.

Darmian, after an unsuccessful spell in England, has become a symbol of stability in Inter's defence. Francesco Acerbi, at 37, showed his resilience by scoring the decisive equaliser against Barcelona in stoppage time.

Just a few years ago, no one would have thought that Acerbi would score in a Champions League semi-final. The defender, born in 1988, came into the limelight quite late, when at the age of 22 he was still playing in the lower divisions of Italian football.

Mkhitaryan (36) was also the player who ran the most in the first leg of the semi-final. He and Calhanoglu (31) have formed an excellent central midfield partnership this season, despite their combined age of 67. They are testament to Inzaghi's philosophy: any player can shine if put in the right position and given the opportunity.

It is worth remembering that despite their success on the pitch, Inter Milan have faced significant financial difficulties in recent years. In 2021, the club recorded a record loss of €245.6 million, and although it will decrease to €85 million in 2023, this figure is still a cause for concern.

Suning's owners, led by Steven Zhang, are facing a €395 million debt to investment fund Oaktree Capital Management. By May 2024, Suning has lost control of the club, with Oaktree holding 99.6% of Inter's shares.

This change marked a major turning point, causing Inter to struggle. However, the club remained competitive thanks to smart transfer deals. The sale of Andre Onana to Manchester United for €52.5 million and Marcelo Brozovic temporarily saved the club from bankruptcy.

The average age of Inter Milan's squad in the 2024/25 season is 26.8 years old, according to data from Transfermarkt . This is the oldest squad in the Champions League this season, reflecting the club's financial difficulties.

Despite all that, Inter's cheap "veterans" have reached the Champions League final for the second time in the last three seasons. Inter's success over the years has been the story of a team overcoming all limits, from financial difficulties to challenges on the pitch.

Source: https://znews.vn/inter-milan-qua-dac-biet-post1551533.html