Inter coach Simone Inzaghi says he always believed the club could make it to the final of the Champions League, dating back to when the draw was made. The Nerazzurri beat Milan 1-0 on the night, making it 3-0 on aggregate and setting up a final against Manchester City or Real Madrid. Inzaghi credited the performance of his players after the match when speaking with Sky Sport Italia, explaining the work and effort they have put in over recent months to make this season a success:
You have taken Inter back to the Champions League final, for you and all the players it will be the first. What is your first thought?
“Probably that from tomorrow we will realize what we have done; it was a long, difficult path, against very great teams. But these guys believed in it from day one, in this period we had semifinals of the Italian Cup, a championship where we are still struggling and fortunately we managed to limit injuries. Tomorrow I gave the boys a day off, they hadn’t rested since April 1. From Thursday we will realize what we’ve done.”
What does your first Champions final represent?
“A great satisfaction, a goal achieved with great sacrifice. I have believed in it since the draw, it is a great satisfaction that I will enjoy more from tomorrow.”
Do you also believe you will win it?
“There are great teams in the other semifinal, whoever happens to be there will find an Inter team that will play for it.”
You have received so many compliments for so many results you have achieved, which one do you feel is most yours?
“There is great satisfaction. To have won four derbies in four months, we know what it cost us last year. But the boys were perfect, they went back and forth with aggression, commitment and crazy determination. Now it’s only right that we enjoy a night like this.”