We deserved to reach UCL final- Inter Coach Inzaghi
Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi believes his side fully earned their place in this season’s UEFA Champions League final following a thrilling clash with Barcelona at the San Siro on Tuesday night.
Following a pulsating 3-3 draw in the first leg at Montjuïc, Inter looked to be in control with goals from Lautaro Martinez and a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty putting them 2-0 up on the night.
But Barcelona stormed back, taking a 3-2 lead through strikes from Eric Garcia, Dani Olmo, and Raphinha—seemingly turning the tie in their favour.
Yet in a stunning twist, veteran defender Francesco Acerbi leveled the tie in the 93rd minute with his first-ever Champions League goal at the age of 37, sending the match into extra time. It was Davide Frattesi who then sealed the win for Inter, netting the decisive goal in a 4-3 triumph on the night and a 7-6 aggregate victory.
“We tried to play it with our strengths. We were never presumptuous, we gave it our all and deserved to reach the Final,” said Inzaghi told Sky Sport Italia (via Football Italia).
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“We must compliment Barcelona too, because they are truly a strong opponent.
“It required a super Inter, so I praise my lads for putting in two incredible performances over the two legs. It was the only way to reach the Final, I am so proud to be their coach, as they gave it everything and those who came off the bench had the right attitude too.
“They should enjoy every moment in front of these fans, we are truly happy. They were exemplary. I told the players to believe, that we could try to limit Barcelona, even though it wasn’t easy to do.
“We had Lautaro, Dumfries and Frattesi who were not 100 per cent fit, so we had to use our hearts to push through every obstacle.”
Inter will now await the winner of the second semi-final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal.
PSG hold a narrow 1-0 lead from the first leg, courtesy of a goal from Ousmane Dembélé. The French winger, who was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury in that match, has since been declared fit ahead of the return leg against Mikel Arteta’s side.