Taking part in a Champions League final is an extraordinary occasion one that some players at Inter Milan’s Allianz Stadium showdown on Saturday know may be their last chance. Francesco Acerbi, at 37 years and 110 days, stands poised to become the third-oldest man to play in and win the competition’s ultimate prize if he can help Inter topple Paris Saint-Germain.
“I’m calm, but also agitated,” Acerbi admitted during Inter’s media day earlier this week. “The closer it gets, the more tense I feel. We hope it will be a beautiful final, but in the end, the important thing is lifting the cup. It’s something that drives you out of your mind, gives you goosebumps. I would do anything to lift it.”
Acerbi’s dramatic, last-minute goal against Barcelona in the semi-final his first in any UEFA club competition and scored with his weaker right foot pushed the tie into extra time and breathed new life into Inter’s quest for glory. That moment alone suggests this could be their year.
Yet the possibility remains that Inter could finish the season without any silverware. Only six weeks ago, the Nerazzurri were atop Serie A with semi-finals in Europe and Italy’s domestic cup still to come. But after a humiliating defeat to Milan in the Coppa Italia and a faltering finish that handed the league title to Napoli, their ambitions have been shaken. Napoli’s Scudetto was a triumph of ruthless efficiency, helped by playing far fewer games this season.
Despite these domestic setbacks, Inter’s Champions League campaign has been impressive. PSG have been exceptional this calendar year but almost failed to reach the knockout stage. Meanwhile, Inter have barely trailed in the competition only 16 minutes total, including six minutes behind Bayern Munich in the quarter-final’s second leg when the aggregate was level.
This Champions League run showcases Simone Inzaghi’s team as tactically innovative, flexible, and brimming with talent. But it also highlights the harsh reality that a final allows no room for error. “In a final, there is no chance to fix things if they go wrong,” Inzaghi said. “You need running, aggression, and determination.”
Inter believe they have matured since their heartbreak in the 2023 final against Manchester City. That defeat, though painful, was a learning experience. They came close but failed to capitalize on chances. Now, with largely the same squad, players like captain and top scorer Lautaro Martínez feel ready. “We lost that final, but it allowed us to mature a lot,” Martínez said. “I think we arrive now perfect in every aspect.”
Experience cuts both ways for Inter. Nine players who featured in the 2023 final could appear again on Saturday, but many are veterans like Acerbi, Henrikh Mkhitaryan (36), and Matteo Darmian (35). Even goalkeeper Yann Sommer, brought in to replace André Onana, is 36, though still performing at a high level.
The sense of urgency for this group is palpable, especially amid speculation that Inzaghi may leave at season’s end. Rumors of interest from Saudi Arabia have swirled, but the manager insists his focus remains on the final. “Right now, it would be crazy to think about that,” he said. The club’s president has expressed optimism that Inzaghi’s cycle at Inter is not over, with talks underway about strengthening the squad for the future.
Since Inzaghi’s arrival four years ago, Inter’s transfer activity has been prudent, often balancing sales with cost-effective signings. Players like Denzel Dumfries and Marcus Thuram have been recruited on modest fees or free transfers, yet have become key contributors. Still, the squad depth remains the smallest in Serie A, which perhaps explains their fatigue and late-season slip.
Despite missing out on domestic trophies, nothing else may matter if Inter can win the Champions League, becoming the first Italian club to do so since Mourinho’s historic treble-winning team 15 years ago. Defender Alessandro Bastoni puts it succinctly: “We have an appointment with history. This match can change our careers.”
For younger players like Bastoni, the future holds more opportunities, but for veterans like Acerbi, this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. “If you told me I could lose the Scudetto but play the Champions League final again, I would always choose the Champions League final,” he said. “I’ve won a league title before.”
