Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi was effusive in his praise for his team after they triumphed over a formidable Barcelona side in a breathtaking Champions League semi-final second leg at the San Siro. Following a captivating 3-3 draw in the first encounter, Inter emerged victorious 4-3 in an even more dramatic 120 minutes, securing their spot in the final with a 7-6 aggregate score.
Speaking to Sky Sport after the remarkable win, Inzaghi began by acknowledging their opponents. “First of all, we must also congratulate Barcelona, a really strong team. It took a super Inter, applause for these guys, two monstrous performances were put on the pitch. I’m happy to be their coach, they gave me everything they had. It is only right that they enjoy the success in this stadium.”
Inter had established a comfortable two-goal lead by halftime, but Barcelona staged a spirited comeback, threatening to snatch the victory. However, Francesco Acerbi’s late equalizer in normal time and a decisive extra-time winner from substitute Davide Frattesi sent the San Siro into rapturous celebrations.
“We had some problems, but with our hearts we went beyond every obstacle,” Inzaghi explained. “We tried to play for it, with the weapons and the qualities we have. After the first leg we had the match plan in mind, but without sacrifice and help all together you can’t do it.”
While many had focused on the brilliance of Barcelona’s young star Lamine Yamal after the first leg, Inzaghi highlighted the quality throughout the Catalan side. “There has been a lot of talk about Yamal, I have seen another extraordinary player who is (Barcelona midfielder Frenkie) De Jong,” he noted. “He impressed me at Yamal’s level, he cleaned out every second ball. I wouldn’t change mine for anyone in the world, but I’ve seen many strong ones besides Yamal.”
The hero of the night for Inter, Davide Frattesi, who also scored a crucial late winner in the quarter-final against Bayern Munich, struggled to find words to describe his emotions. “It’s incredible, I don’t know what to say,” he exclaimed. “After Munich I didn’t think I’d repeat the same emotions, tonight the incredible happened. I wasn’t given such incredible talent, but I was always the last to give up and the first to believe in it. At 3-3 I said that we would go through. I came off the bench, but it’s like I’ve played 120 minutes.”
Inzaghi’s unwavering belief in his squad was evident as he concluded, “I wouldn’t change mine for anyone in the world.” Inter Milan now look forward to the Champions League final, where they will aim to lift the trophy for the fourth time in their history.
