Inter Milan is set to compete against Paris Saint-Germain in the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League final on May 31. While PSG is playing in only its second final (having lost in 2020), Inter boasts a richer history in the competition, with three previous wins (the last in 2010 under Jose Mourinho). They also recently appeared in the 2023 final, losing 1-0 to Manchester City. Under manager Simone Inzaghi, Inter has performed strongly this season in Europe, finishing among the top eight in the inaugural league phase introduced in the 2024-25 format. Now, two years after their last final appearance, Inter has another opportunity to claim the trophy. Here is a summary of their journey to the final:
The League Phase
Inter started their campaign effectively in the new-look league phase, which replaced the traditional group stage. This format features a single table of 36 teams, with each team playing eight matches against different opponents (four home, four away). The Nerazzurri began with a 0-0 away draw against Manchester City, a repeat of the 2023 final. Two weeks later, they secured a dominant 4-0 home victory over Crvena Zvezda, with goals from Hakan Calhanoglu, Marko Arnautovic, Lautaro Martinez, and a Mehdi Taremi penalty.
Subsequent matches saw Inter secure crucial wins: a 1-0 away victory thanks to a late goal from Marcus Thuram, a 1-0 home win against Arsenal sealed by a Calhanoglu penalty, and another 1-0 home triumph over RB Leipzig. Their only defeat in this phase was a 1-0 loss away to Bayer Leverkusen. Inter bounced back to win their final two league phase matches, a 1-0 away win against Sparta Prague via Lautaro Martinez and a commanding 3-0 home victory featuring a Lautaro hat-trick. Finishing fourth in the overall league table, Inter qualified directly for the Round of 16, avoiding the play-offs. Notably, they boasted the best defense in the league phase, conceding only one goal, while scoring 11 and winning six out of eight matches.
The Knockout Stages
Inter progressed confidently through the Round of 16, eliminating Feyenoord. They won the first leg 2-0 away with goals from Lautaro and Thuram, before completing the job at home in Milan with a 2-1 victory, featuring goals from Thuram and a Calhanoglu penalty.
In the quarterfinals, Inter faced Bayern Munich. They secured a vital 2-1 win in the first leg at the Allianz Arena (the venue for the final), with Lautaro scoring a spectacular opener and Davide Frattesi netting a sensational late winner after Thomas Muller`s equalizer. The return leg in Milan was a thrilling encounter. Harry Kane gave Bayern the lead, but Inter turned the game around rapidly with two goals in three minutes from Lautaro and Benjamin Pavard. Although Bayern equalized again, Inter held on to knock out Vincent Kompany`s side.
However, their semifinal tie against Barcelona proved to be the most dramatic and perhaps the best match of the season. The first leg at Estadio Lluis Companys finished in a pulsating 3-3 draw. Inter took early leads through Thuram and Denzel Dumfries, but Barcelona responded via Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez. Dumfries restored Inter`s advantage, only for an Yann Sommer own goal to level the score. The second leg in Milan was an instant classic. Inter led 2-0 at halftime with goals from Lautaro and Calhanoglu. Barcelona mounted a comeback in the second half, leveling the score at 2-2 through Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo by the 60th minute. Raphinha then seemed to win it for Barcelona in the 87th minute, but Francesco Acerbi`s stoppage-time equalizer forced extra time in a moment of high drama. In the 99th minute, substitute Frattesi struck with a powerful finish to clinch a dramatic 4-3 victory, sending Inter to the final.
