Inter Milan’s goalkeeper Yann Sommer recently opened up about his experiences with the club, his teammates, and his aspirations for the season ahead. Speaking with La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Swiss international shared his thoughts on Inter’s chances in Serie A and the Champions League, while also offering a glimpse into his personal rituals and the team’s dynamics.
When asked about the most “Swiss-like” teammate at Inter, Sommer didn’t hesitate to name Matteo Darmian. “Darmian. He feels French, but he’s… Swiss, maybe from Ticino. He’s incredibly organized, an exceptional teammate. When I arrived, I asked him questions, and he had answers for everything: a perfect concierge. Call this, go there, do that: always punctual and efficient,” Sommer said with a laugh. As if on cue, Darmian appeared at that moment, bringing coffee and biscuits for everyone, further cementing Sommer’s point.
Reflecting on the differences between last season’s title-winning team and the current squad, Sommer emphasized the collective strength and individual quality that propelled them to success. “Last year’s key was the strength of the collective and the great quality, both as a group and individually. There was a perfect balance between attack and defense. We defended our lead like crazy, as if our children were inside the goal. We were consistent almost to perfection; the level never dropped,” he explained.
However, Sommer acknowledged the new challenges they face as reigning champions. “Now we’re the reigning champions, and everyone wants to beat us. That’s a big difference. The team has remained more or less the same, but I think it’s normal to start a bit slower after a super season. But we’re there, second.”
When asked about the difficulty of retaining the championship, Sommer provided a thoughtful response. “It’s all in the head. If you win, you’re happy and a bit relaxed, you do less than the year before, and at this level, you just can’t allow it. Our coach makes us work hard to fight this unconscious sense of relaxation, and rightly so. We need to do more than last year because we have fierce rivals who want to overtake us. To win again, you need 100%, nothing less.”
Addressing the team’s recent defensive issues, Sommer introduced a concept he’s learned in Italy: “Preventiva” (preventive). “We’re not doing those markings well in many situations. It’s a crucial point. Last year, we always had excellent preventive measures when we had the ball; we were always compact and orderly, and it was difficult to get through us. That’s what we need to return to our level,” he explained.
Sommer dismissed concerns about the team’s age affecting their performance. “No, age is not a problem. Just look at how Micki and Calha play, like all the defenders from Acerbi and Darmian, but also me: we’re all at the top, very professional. It’s normal to be a bit below level sometimes, but it’s not because of age.”
Looking ahead to their Champions League campaign, Sommer expressed confidence in the team’s ability to compete on both fronts. “It’s possible to achieve the same results on both fronts thanks to the team we have. It’s not easy, the calendar is crowded, but reaching the maximum is our goal. In these 8 Champions League games, we have to go all out. Our level is higher than last year’s round of 16: we can go further while maintaining our standard in the league. We can’t preclude anything.”
Sommer also praised manager Simone Inzaghi’s winning mentality and meticulous preparation. “He has a strong winning mentality, and that makes the difference. He does everything it takes to win: preparation, meetings about opponents, when he feels in the air that there isn’t the right mood in training, he intervenes and pushes us. We always have to work at the limit; we need this mutual stimulation. I love working with him.”
When asked about his future, Sommer expressed contentment with his current situation at Inter Milan. “My contract expires in 2026: I don’t know where I’ll be, I haven’t thought about it yet, but I’m happy here in Milan. And I have great challenges ahead; at the moment, I don’t see myself elsewhere. I put all my energy into Inter.”
Sommer also shared his thoughts on teammate Lautaro Martinez’s Ballon d’Or prospects. “I completely agree with Messi. I met Lautaro a year and a half ago, and I immediately noticed his great personality, the right spirit of a captain, and his being an exceptional scorer. We always need him, and it would be a well-deserved award.”
The goalkeeper revealed a personal pre-match ritual that helps him focus. “Before matches, I have another ritual. There’s a precise moment I recognize in the room where I stop being Yann and become Sommer, the goalkeeper. I click, I transform: it’s not that I become Hulk, but it’s a meditation that helps me focus on everything and enter the game.”
As the interview concluded, Sommer shared a light-hearted moment about learning Italian. “Every day I discover a new word. Just the other day: ‘Altrettanto’ (likewise).” This word, he joked, might have been uttered by Inzaghi, suggesting that to win again after the star, Inter needs to be “equally” strong.
