Inter Milan has once again reached the final of the Champions League, following a memorable semifinal victory. The decisive goal saw Simone Inzaghi`s side secure their spot in the final for the second time in three seasons. After experiencing defeat in the 2023 final against Manchester City (1-0), the Nerazzurri now have another historic opportunity to claim European success. This repeated success underscores the impact of Inzaghi`s tenure at the club. But, regardless of their upcoming opponent, what makes this Inter team significantly different and potentially better equipped than the one that played in Istanbul in 2023? Here`s an analysis:
Enhanced European Experience
This current Inter squad possesses a distinct level of European experience and a more developed mentality compared to the team that played in the 2023 final. Back then, their run to the final was widely considered a surprise, aided by a relatively less challenging knockout path that included victories over FC Porto, Benfica, and their city rivals AC Milan in the semifinal. The year before, in Inzaghi`s first season, Inter had returned to the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in 11 years, losing to Liverpool in the Round of 16. Under Inzaghi, the team`s European composure has grown significantly. While they were eliminated from the 2024 competition in the Round of 16 on penalties by Atletico Madrid, their current campaign has been robust. Prior to overcoming Barcelona, they successfully navigated the league phase, finishing in the top eight, and then eliminated formidable sides like Feyenoord and Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals. The key difference from 2023 is a newfound self-assurance; facing Pep Guardiola`s team then felt almost like a miracle, whereas now, the team approaches the final with much greater self-belief, a direct result of their consistent progress and hard work over the past seasons.
The Lautaro Martinez Factor and `Thu-La`
Inter also benefits from a change in leadership, with Lautaro Martinez having taken over as club captain since the 2023 season, following Samir Handanovic`s departure. The Argentinian striker is undeniably the face and heart of this team. His extraordinary effort to recover from a muscular injury in time for the critical second leg against Barcelona at San Siro highlights his immense desire to lift the Champions League trophy. Having already achieved success with Argentina by winning the World Cup and multiple Copa America titles, the Champions League is arguably the final major dream of his footballing career. Winning it could significantly bolster his chances for individual honors like the 2025 Ballon d`Or, where he finished 7th last year. Crucially, his strike partnership has evolved since 2023, when he played alongside Edin Dzeko and Romelu Lukaku. His new teammate, Marcus Thuram, forming the effective `Thu-La` duo, seems to have helped Lautaro elevate his game even further.
The Potential Climax of a Cycle
Adding another layer of significance, there`s a feeling, perhaps more pronounced than with teams like PSG or Arsenal, that this final might represent a “last dance” for certain components of the Inter squad. Significant roster changes are anticipated, particularly ahead of the summer of 2025. Club president Giuseppe Marotta has already spoken about this before the Barcelona semifinal first leg, driven by the club`s new American owners, Oaktree, who are keen on building a younger yet still competitive team for the future. While some players are likely to depart this summer regardless of the final outcome, others will remain to provide continuity. However, the sense persists that this current group has reached its potential peak together. A revolution is on the horizon, but unlike the period after the historic 2010 Treble under Jose Mourinho, where the club struggled to sustain its elite level, the upcoming changes aim to maintain the club`s position at the top.
