Istanbul will have its flagbearer, a Turkish international, to grace its Champions League showpiece.
Armenia’s greatest footballer will be there, too, treading through difficult geopolitical territory but at the European final he feels owed, four years after his nationality prevented him from taking part in one.
The younger of the Inzaghi brothers has his chance to emulate a celebrated sibling. Italian football gets its opportunity to put a shade of blue on a showpiece event, some compensation for the Azzurri, the national team, having failed to make last year’s World Cup.
Internazionale's arrival in next month’s European Cup final, after their emphatic 3-0 aggregate victory over city rivals AC Milan, brings with it a long carriage of individual landmarks and redemption tales. Above all, theirs is a stirring outsider journey for a club that last experienced such heights back in 2010.
Back then, Simone Inzaghi was hanging up his boots, saying farewell to a fine centre-forward’s career that was always a little under the shadow of his brother Pippo, a European club champion with Milan, with 57 Italy caps to Simone’s three.
Both went into coaching, where junior’s achievements have greatly outshone Inzaghi senior’s.
At Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic stadium in 23 days time, the younger Inzaghi, 47, now aspires to match Jose Mourinho’s standout success as Inter manager, the lifting of a European Cup, and to take up full membership of the VIP class of Italian coaches.
He had taken Inter to a place, club football’s most prestigious final, where Roberto Mancini, Antonio Conte and, before them, Marcello Lippi could not.
Inter 1 AC Milan 0: player ratings
-
INTER MILAN RATINGS: Andre Onana 7 – Ever dependable between the sticks for Inter, dealt well with the few shots that headed his way. Held on nicely to an early strike by Brahim Diaz, which was as close as Milan got to scoring all night. Getty -
Matteo Darmian 6 – Had one or two shaky moments up against the rapid Rafael Leao, but improved massively in the second period to shut out the Portuguese international. Reuters -
Francesco Acerbi 8 – A proverbial wall at the back for Inter, starving Olivier Giroud of service all afternoon. A dominant performance by the veteran Italian – especially aerially. Reuters -
Alessandro Bastoni 7 – Looked very solid in Inter’s back three, stepping out impressively at times to assist the hosts in their build-up play. AP -
Denzel Dumfries 7 – Provided real energy down the right for the hosts, while also doing well to deny Leao space in the final third. Another solid display from the Dutchman. AP -
Nicolo Barella 8 – Ran the show centrally, breaking the lines with beautiful driving runs and slick link-up play. The diminutive playmaker oozed class throughout. AP -
Hakan Calhanoglu 7 – Contributed more in a defensive capacity in the first half, helping to shield his backline as Milan pushed for the opening goal. However, his free-kick prowess was also on full display again, as Edin Dzeko almost netted from one of his deliveries just before half-time. AFP -
Henrikh Mkhitaryan 6 – The former Manchester United and Arsenal man got off to a bright start but was unfortunately subbed off with an injury in the first half. Reuters -
Federico Dimarco 6 – A quieter game from the Milan-born full-back, whose role was far more conservative tonight. However, he remained mistake-free defensively and seldom gave the ball away. AFP -
Lautaro Martinez 8 – The Argentine’s match-winning goal was well deserved, as he looked a real threat all evening. After flashing a handful of shots over Mike Maignan’s goal, he made no mistake in the second half, firing home from close range to send Inter to Istanbul. AP -
Edin Dzeko 7 – Not quite as influential as his strike-partner on this occasion, but the 37-year-old very nearly opened the scoring after his headed effort forced an incredible save from Maignan. Dzeko continues to be a menace in and around the penalty box. Getty -
SUBS: Marcelo Brozovic (for Mkhitaryan, 44’) 7 – Settled nicely into the Inter midfield after replacing Mkhitaryan in the first half. Worked hard for the cause and kept things neat and tidy in possession. AP -
Romelu Lukaku (for Dzeko, 66’) 7 – Looked very sharp after replacing Dzeko mid-way through the second half. The Belgian forward even grabbed an assist after playing Martinez in for his winning goal. Getty -
Robin Gosens (for Dimarco, 66’) 6 – Put in a solid shift as Inter looked to tighten their grip on the game in the later stages. Getty -
Joaquin Correa (for Martinez, 84’) N/A – Came on for the final few minutes of the game, adding some good energy to Inter’s press as they closed out the win. Reuters -
Roberto Gagliardini (for Barella, 84’) N/A – The Italian came on for fellow countryman Barella with five minutes left to play. AP -
AC MILAN RATINGS: Mike Maignan 6 – Had a stellar first half, pulling off some world-class saves to deny Dzeko from close range. However, all his good work was undone in the second half, after he failed to get a strong enough hand to Martinez’s match-winning shot. Getty -
Davide Calabria 5 – A tough evening for the Milan captain, who was caught out of position on several occasions. His second-half struggles seemed to perfectly encapsulate Milan’s flat display after a promising opening 30 minutes. Getty -
Malick Thiaw 6 – A mixed game from the young German, who was drafted in to replace the experienced Simon Kjaer. Won a fair few duels throughout, although he did lack composure on occasions, which eventually saw him pick up a yellow card. AFP -
Fikayo Tomori 7 – Much improved from the first leg, not that it helped his side a great deal in the end. The England international dealt especially well with crosses into the box and always looked to be positive on the ball. AFP -
Theo Hernandez 5 – Virtually anonymous throughout, with his biggest contribution in the first half being a mistake inside his own penalty box that almost led to an Inter goal. The hugely talented wing-back had a night to forget. AP -
Rade Krunic 6 – Cut a frustrated figure at times, as Inter outnumbered their cross-city rivals in the centre of the park. Another frustrating outing after his disastrous first-leg display – with the 29-year-old picking up a late yellow just for good measure. Reuters -
Sandro Tonali 7 – Alongside Tomori, he was one of the few bright sparks for Milan. He almost handed his side an early lead after bursting past Darmian, getting to the byline and laying the ball on a plate to Diaz – who squandered the chance. Getty -
Brahim Diaz 5 – Far too wasteful in possession, having also missed the aforementioned guilt-edged chance from Tonali’s cut-back. The former City starlet shows flashes of brilliance, but the end product was lacking on this occasion. Getty -
Junior Messias 6 – Got off to a bright start, getting the better of Bastoni in a handful of early one against one duels. However, the winger tailed off badly in the second half and failed to offer his side a great deal in the final third. Reuters -
Rafael Leao 6 – After missing the first leg due to injury, Milan’s star man almost got them off to the perfect start. However, his powerful first-half run into the Inter box eventually saw him drag his shot just wide. Sadly for the 23-year-old, that was as good as it got all evening. AP -
Olivier Giroud 6 – A tough game up front for the Frenchman, who was largely feeding off scraps. On the odd occasion he did win aerial duels against the likes of Acerbi, his teammates weren’t able to capitalise and feed off his hold-up play. AP -
SUBS: Pierre Kalulu (for Thiaw, 64’) 5 – Looked well off the pace after replacing the carded Thiaw, losing his man for Martinez’s goal. Reuters -
Divock Origi (for Diaz, 76’) 6 – Came on to join Giroud up top in the Milan attack, but hardly had a touch of the ball. Reuters -
Alexis Saelemaekers (for Messias, 76’) 6 – Replaced Messias for the final 10 minutes, but was equally ineffective in the final third. Reuters
Inzaghi’s qualities of careful organisation and shrewd selection shone through Inter’s commanding of Milan over 180 minutes at a seething San Siro, where victories in both legs brought to four the number of derbies Inter have won against their neighbours in this calendar year alone.
Inzaghi does not have quite the calibre of squad Mourinho took to a Treble 13 years ago, and his Inter still need points to confirm a top-four finish in the league, but he has paced the campaign to peak at the right time.
Only last month, after picking up just one point in four league games, Inzaghi’s position seemed in peril. Tuesday’s second leg win over Milan, thanks to a Lautaro Martinez goal, was Inter’s eighth victory in succession.
Inzaghi gave his players Wednesday off, to relax and watch Manchester City versus Real Madrid in the evening, the first close study of many that will be applied to their final opponents.
“They have not rested since April 1,” Inzaghi said of his players, praising their “running, aggression, focus and determination. We have made an unbelievable effort".
The energy comes from a relatively old group, with Edin Dzeko, 37, a figurehead, scorer of the early, first-leg goal that set the tone for Inter’s efficient mastery of Milan.
-
Lautaro Martinez scores for Inter Milan during the Champions League semi-final second leg at the San Siro on May 16, 2023. Inter won 1-0 on the night and 3-0 on aggregate. Getty Images -
Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez celebrates scoring their first goal with Joaquin Correa. Reuters -
Lautaro Martinez celebrates his goal with the Inter fans. Getty Images -
AC Milan's Olivier Giroud consoles teammate Rafael Leao after he missed a chance. Getty Images -
Lautaro Martinez celebrates with teammate Nicolo Barella after scoring the team's first goal. Getty Images -
Rafael Leao of AC Milan shoots narrowly wide against Inter Milan. Getty Images -
Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez celebrates his opener. AP -
Lautaro Martinez of Inter celebrates with teammate Romelu Lukaku. Getty Images -
Inter keeper Andre Onana celebrates after Lautaro Martinez's goal. Getty Images -
Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez scores their first goal, Reuters -
Olivier Giroud of AC Milan after and Rafael Leao, right, misses a chance. Getty Images -
Inter keeper Andre Onana jumps for the ball with Olivier Giroud of AC Milan. Getty Images -
AC Milan's Olivier Giroud, left, pleads with referee Clement Turpin. AP -
AC Milan's Sandro Tonali, right, is challenged by Inter's Nicolo Barella. AP -
AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan jumps for the ball under pressure. AFP -
AC Milan's Theo Hernandez, right, shoots from distance. AP -
AC Milan's manager Stefano Pioli on the touchline. AP -
Inter Milan's Henrikh Mkhitaryan leaves the pitch after sustaining an injury. Reuters -
Referee Clement Turpin talks to Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez. AFP -
Inter Milan's Denzel Dumfries is challenged by AC Milan's Theo Hernandez. AP
The evergreen Bosnian, formerly of City, Roma and Wolfsburg, is on the way to his first Champions League final, his savvy and his importance for set-piece routines likely to edge him into the starting line-up ahead of Romelu Lukaku, whose season-long loan back to Inter, who he left for Chelsea in 2021, could yet finish with a European Cup gold medal.
Hakan Calhanoglu, formerly of Milan and Inter’s best expert in delivering those set-pieces, has been vital. He scored the only goal of the decisive autumn win over Barcelona that effectively put Inter through to the knockouts from a tough group that also included Bayern Munich.
Calhanoglu can anticipate a warm welcome from Turks on June 10th. He will be only the fifth Turkey international to appear in a Champions League final, the first in one staged there.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan, his fellow midfielder, may not feel quite the same affection given the frayed diplomatic relationship between Turkey and Mkhitarayan’s native Armenia.
But his passport will not be deemed so problematic as it was when Mhkitarayan, 34, did not travel to the 2019 Europa League final with his then Arsenal teammates. He stayed away because of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, where that final was hosted.
Mkhitarayan has earned this final, netting the second goal of the first leg against Milan, set up by Federico Dimarco, an attacking full-back who has made huge strides in his development under Inzaghi.
No one, going into this week’s second legs, had supplied more assists in the Champions League than Dimarco, for whom a lifelong ambition has been realised.
He grew up as an Inter supporter and recalls watching as a five-year-old as Inter lost a Champions League semi-final to Milan in 2003.
“It’s a dream come true, shared by all of us,” said Inzaghi. “We have grown together, always believing we could make it even when nobody gave us much of a chance.”
