Guardiola’s prophetic words on Inter’s Champions League comeback | OneFootball

Inter reaching a second Champions League final in three seasons was something Pep Guardiola had already foreseen back in 2023, when his Manchester City side defeated the Nerazzurri in Istanbul to claim their first-ever European title.

After edging past Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, Simone Inzaghi’s men booked their return to the final with a dramatic win over Barcelona, proving once again their growth and consistency on the continental stage.

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 06: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona is consoled by Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale after the final whistle of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Three years ago, Inter reached the showpiece event after eliminating city rivals Milan in the semifinals, only to fall narrowly to the Premier League champions, who sealed victory with a second-half strike from Rodri.

When Guardiola predicted Inter would return to Champions League final

Despite the loss, Inter earned widespread respect for matching City blow for blow, impressing fans and pundits alike — including Guardiola himself.

After the match, the Spaniard praised the Nerazzurri’s performance and predicted they would soon be back contending for Europe’s most prestigious prize.

Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola gestures on the touchline during the UEFA Champions League, league phase football match between Manchester City and Inter Milan at the Etihad stadium, in Manchester, north-west England, on September 18, 2024 (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

“To Inzaghi, I’d like to say that what he’s feeling now is what we felt two years ago,” Guardiola said back then.

“He should remember that he coaches the second-strongest team in Europe — a truly great side. He’ll be back in the final. That’s sport: sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.”

Inter will now face PSG in the Champions League final — a side that, like Manchester City two seasons ago, has never lifted the trophy.