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Tag: Inter Milan

  • We’re disappointed, sad – Inter’s coach reacts after losing UCL final to PSG

    We’re disappointed, sad – Inter’s coach reacts after losing UCL final to PSG

    Ligue 1 side, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), defeated Italian Serie A side, Inter Milan, on Saturday to win the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League (UCL).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports PSG beat Inter Milan 5-0 in what is a record in the Champions League final to be crowned kings of European football in Munich.

    It would be the first time PSG has ever won the Champions League and the largest-ever goal margin in a Champions League final.

    Achraf Hakimi opened the scoring, Desire Doue scored twice, and both Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Senny Mayulu also scored to hand PSG the 2024-2025 UCL trophy

    Speaking after the final, Inter’s coach, Simone Inzaghi, congratulated PSG, expressed sadness and disappointment, but said he is, nevertheless, proud of his players.

    “Paris deserved to win this game and the trophy. We’re disappointed, but the path to this point was great. As coach, I am proud of my players. The game, of course, wasn’t good enough on our part.

    “I thanked my players for what they did this season. We didn’t win a trophy, but I am proud to be their coach. We need to learn from defeats and come out stronger.

    “This hurts like the Istanbul final [in 2023]. It was a different game, of course. Paris were constantly first on the ball. We needed to do much better.

    “We gave everything we had to get to this point, playing 58 games this season. We’re disappointed, sad. The players gave their all,” Inzaghi said.

    PSG’s coach, Luis Enrique, who won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015, has become only the seventh coach to win the competition with two different teams.

    Other coaches who have won the UCL with two different teams are Ernst Happel, Ottmar Hitzfeld, Jupp Heynckes, Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.

    Enrique also won the treble this season for the second time – with PSG’s Champions League being added to Ligue 1 and the French Cup – after he achieved the same feat with Barcelona 10 years ago.

    “Inter are a great side, but we were fantastic in our pressing. Every player improved this season, and so did the team.

    “We prepared very well for this game to be at that level. The team was excellent; we pressed with high intensity.

    “Since day one, I said I wanted to win important trophies and Paris had never won the Champions League. We did it for the first time. It’s a great feeling to make many people happy,” Enrique said.

    TNG reports PSG will now play Europa League champions, Tottenham Hotspur, in the European Super Cup final on August 13 in Udine, Italy.

  • UCL: Inter defeat Barca in all-time classic to reach final

    UCL: Inter defeat Barca in all-time classic to reach final

    Inter Milan produced a dramatic late turnaround to beat Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate in a thrilling, all-time classic of a Champions League semi-final.

    With just two minutes of added time left, Inter trailed 3-2 on the night and were heading out when centre-back Francesco Acerbi smashed a cross into the roof of the net to level the tie, the 37-year-old charging around with his shirt off in wild celebrations.

    And there were more ecstatic scenes when substitute Davide Frattesi won it for the Italian champions, curling a beautiful left-footed shot into the bottom corner in the first period of extra time before climbing up a security fence to celebrate in front of Inter’s fans.

    It means a second Champions League final in three seasons for three-time European champions Inter after two legs of incredible drama which saw 13 goals and a tie turned on its head on several occasions.

    Barca were only two minutes away from their first final in 10 years having fought back from 2-0 down – in a similar scenario to the first leg – to lead 3-2 on the night.

    Lamine Yamal almost took the game to penalties but was twice denied by superb saves by Yann Sommer as Inter held on to reach the final and spark incredible scenes of celebration.

    Inter, who lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the 2023 final, will play either Paris St-Germain or Arsenal at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena on Saturday, 31 May in the 2025 showpiece.

    The Gunners head into Wednesday’s second leg in France after losing 1-0 at Emirates Stadium last week.

    BBC

  • UCL: Inter edge out Bayern Munich to reach semis

    UCL: Inter edge out Bayern Munich to reach semis

    Inter Milan booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals with a thrilling draw against Bayern Munich at San Siro Stadium.

    The Italian champions led 2-1 from the first leg but their advantage was wiped out by Harry Kane’s crisp, low strike early in the second half.

    That goal sparked Inter into life and just nine minutes later they were in front on the night and in complete control of the tie.

    First, Lautaro Martinez lashed home from six yards as the ball dropped kindly for him from a corner.

    Three minutes later, another corner and this time defender Benjamin Pavard powered in a header from Hakan Calhanoglu’s delivery.

    Bayern did not give up though, and with 14 minutes remaining they drew level thanks to Eric Dier’s looping back-post header from a tight angle.

    Vincent Kompany’s side pushed for a third goal to force extra time, and in the fifth of six added minutes the chance came but Thomas Muller could not direct his header past Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

    Despite the late scare, it is Inter who progress to face Barcelona in a tantalising last-four tie.

  • Frattesi strikes late as Inter stun Bayern Munich

    Frattesi strikes late as Inter stun Bayern Munich

    Davide Frattesi scored an 88th-minute winner to ensure Inter Milan will take an advantage back to the San Siro after a 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarter-final tie, a result which ends Die Roten’s 22-match unbeaten home run in this competition.

    In spite of their ever-lengthening injury list, it was a promising start for Bayern, who went close when Michael Olise shot flew wide of the post among the early exchanges. Although Inter started to get into the game more after that, they struggled to breach the staunch Bayern backline, and the best chances continued to go the way of the hosts.

    Olise was causing Inter the most trouble, and it was his lay-off from Jonas Urbig’s long ball which set up Harry Kane to shoot across goal and agonisingly against the outside of the far post.

    Kane’s miss initially went unpunished by Carlos Augusto, who hit the side netting at the other end just moments later, but Inter worked tirelessly to notch an opener against the run of play before the break.

    Augusto’s low cross caught the Bayern defence unaware and found Marcus Thuram, who flicked the ball back for Lautaro Martínez to arrive and caress into the top corner with the outside of his boot.

    Inter refused to let up following the restart, fashioning multiple chances, including a Martínez shot from an angle which was batted away by Urbig. Bayern slowed things down in response and successfully regained control, but chances remained at a premium, aside from Raphaël Guerreiro’s well-hit volley which sailed just over.

    That was until a frantic final 10 minutes in which the hosts repeatedly went close, before finally hitting a poetic equaliser. Konrad Laimer brought down Joshua Kimmich’s cross and sent it back across the face of goal, where Thomas Müller – the space investigator himself – lost his marker and prodded into the open net.

    Perhaps Bayern were overtaken by relief, but they totally went to sleep after the leveller and allowed Inter a stunning winner. Nicolò Barella played in Augusto, who unselfishly squared it for Frattesi to finish and silence the Allianz Arena.

    The result puts Bayern’s chances of contesting the final at this ground in serious jeopardy, and history isn’t on their side given that they have never won a UCL or European Cup knockout tie after losing the first leg at home.

    Things look better for Inter, who are favourites to lift both the Serie A and Coppa Italia trophies, and may have a shot at the treble if they can successfully see out the second leg.

    Tribalfootball

  • Serie A: Inter Milan tried to sign me – Okoye

    Serie A: Inter Milan tried to sign me – Okoye

    Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye admits Inter Milan tried to sign him over the summer.

    However, the Nigeria international says Udinese’s asking price was too rich.

    “The interest from Inter was concrete, but Udinese were asking for €15m to buy me,” the shot-stopper told Transfermarkt.

    “It would’ve been a dream, but I don’t regret how things went. I am happy to still be at this club, to be the Number 1 here. The situation could repeat itself if I keep working hard and maintain constant performances.

    “I want to stay in Italy, this is a choice I have made. I like this land, the people in it and the atmosphere. I am happy in Udine and want to take the club high with as many points as possible.”

  • Serie A: Torino, Inter Milan eye Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye

    Serie A: Torino, Inter Milan eye Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye

    Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye has caught the eyes of Italian sides Torino and Inter Milan.

    Okoye was previously linked with Serie A champions Inter Milan but another Serie A rival Torino has joined the race

    According to mondoudinese, Torino are preparing for the departure of Vanja Milinkovic- Savic, who is set to leave the club this summer.

    The Turin club have identified the Nigerian as possible replacement for the departing goalkeeper.

    The 24-year-old was one of the key performers for Udinese last season, helping the Zebras maintain their top-flight status.

    The former Sparta Rotterdam goalie made 21 league appearances and kept five clean sheets.

    He has three years remaining on his contract.

  • Serie A: Inter Milan crowned champions of Italy for the 20th time in history

    Serie A: Inter Milan crowned champions of Italy for the 20th time in history

    Serie A giant, Inter Milan were crowned champions of Italy for the 2oth time in their history shortly after defeating  rivals, AC Milan  2-1 on Monday at the San Siro.

    Francesco Acerbi’s header gave the Nerazzurri a first-half lead before Marcus Thuram’s finish  gave the host a 2-0 lead after the break.

    Although Milan grabbed a late goal through Fikayo Tomori, it was only a mere consolation.

    Tempers boiled over in the closing stages of the Derby, as Theo Hernandez and Davide Calabria were sent off for AC Milan, while Denzel Dumfries was dismissed for Inter.

    But Simone Inzaghi’s side have now established an unassailable 17-point lead over their second-placed city rivals with five fixtures left.

  • Inter Milan set to lure another Nigerian player to San Siro

    Inter Milan set to lure another Nigerian player to San Siro

    Nigerian-born defender, Michael Kayode is currently on the radar of three big  European clubsides.

    Italian giant, Inter Milan are the latest to eye the rock solid  defender.

    Kayode has impressed for Fiorentina this season following his promotion to the first team.

    The 19-year-old has scored once and provided two assists in 19 league appearances.

    According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter now have him on their radar as a potential replacement for Denzel Dumfries, who has yet to agree to a new contract.

    Kayode only recently signed a new deal that keeps him at Fiorentina till the summer of 2028.

    The defender is yet to comment whether he would stay at Fiorentina or move elsewhere at the end of the current season.

    Just this season Inter Milan grabbed a Nigerian Midfielder, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro from Remo Stars and he has been firing on all cylinders.

    19-year-old Akinsanmiro made a winning debut for Inter Milan in their 4-0 win against Lecce in a Serie A game recently.

  • Mourinho explains leaving Inter Milan for Real Madrid

    Mourinho explains leaving Inter Milan for Real Madrid

    Roma manager Jose Mourinho has explained why he left Inter Milan for Real Madrid in 2010.

    Mourinho quit Inter immediately after leading them to the Treble.

    He recalled to Sport Italia: “I’m always very honest with others and with myself. I could have gone to Real Madrid after my first season with Inter, but I had signed to stay more than a year. I had an incredible relationship, not only with the president, but also with his wife and children.

    “I went to Moratti’s house at the end of the first season and we came to the conclusion that I would stay one more year. It wasn’t victory or defeat in the Champions League final that would’ve decided my life, I already knew what I was going to do, and I wanted to go to Real Madrid.

    “The opportunity came for the second time and I wanted to go, it was a moment in my career where I told myself I had to. They’re the biggest club in the world, there is no history, but I had that thing of winning the Serie A title.

    “Beyond winning or not winning the Champions League, there was a basic job that would have gone to another coach, everything was perfect.

    “It would have been more comfortable for me to stay at Inter instead of competing with Barcelona, I would have won another easy Scudetto, we would have gone on to become Club World Champions but it wouldn’t have meant anything to me.

    “The smart players already knew what I was going to decide, after the Champions League final I didn’t go back to Milan because I was afraid that emotions would change, and I would never go to Real Madrid again.

    “I refused to sign the contract with Real Madrid before the final against Bayern Munich, but I was afraid to go back to Milan because of the emotions.”

  • CAF Women’s Champions League: Delta Queens zoom into final

    CAF Women’s Champions League: Delta Queens zoom into final

    Nigeria’s representative in this year’s CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers for WAFU B zone, Delta Queens on Monday defeated Athletico FC of Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire 3-2 to qualify for the final of the competition.

    The tension soaked encounter took place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

    The two West African clubs sought to grab the single slot to represent the zone in the next stage of the continental competition.

    The Delta ladies went behind five minutes into the match when Melissa Behinan scored for the Ivorian women to give them the lead.

    All efforts, put up by the Delta Queens, to equalise before the end of first half hit a brick wall.

    Their efforts paid off in the second half when substitute Mercy Omokwo scored from a shot in the 62nd minute.

    The stalemate forced the match into an extra time, when in the 98th minute, Omokwo scored for Delta Queens after she superbly beat the Athletico’s defence to record another goal.

    Delta Queens’ captain, Taiwo Afolabi made it 3-1 for the host in stoppage time of the extra time’s first half to dim the hope of the Ivorians.

    Joy Sunday, however, reduced the tally to 3-2 when she pulled back a goal five minutes to the end of the game to console the Abidjan club.

    Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Edo, Philip Shaibu had promised the Delta Queens N1 million for every goal scored in the match.

    Shaibu made the pledge shortly before the team filed out for the semifinal encounter to spur the performance of the Nigerian girls.