Inter Milan & Netherlands Wingback Insists Simone Inzaghi Future ‘Rumors Didn’t Affect Us’ In Champions League Final | OneFootball

Inter Milan star Denzel Dumfries insists rumors surrounding the future of Simone Inzaghi had nothing to do with the Champions League debacle.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInterNews, the Dutch wingback admitted the Munich heartbreak was hard to digest.

Inter could ascend the European throne under Simone Inzaghi despite reaching two Champions League finals in three years.

However, a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in 2023 was far more acceptable than a 5-0 rout to Paris Saint-Germain last month.

Though Inter finished the newly formatted league phase as the best defensive team, they conceded five in the showpiece event.

Nothing went their way at the Allianz Arena.

Yet, the team’s mindset heading into the final wasn’t right due to intense speculation over Inzaghi’s future.

Indeed, the 49-year-old was already in talks with Al-Hilal over a summer move to Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, the former Inter coach opted to keep everyone in suspense, including his players.

Unfortunately, his actions backfired on the Nerazzurri.

Denzel Dumfries Delivers Verdict on Simone Inzaghi Role in Inter Milan Champions League Fiasco

MUNICH, GERMANY – MAY 31: Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, looks dejected as he walks past the UEFA Champions League trophy after collecting his runners up medal after defeat to Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League Final 2025 between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Internazionale Milano at Munich Football Arena on May 31, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

“It’s very hard to accept, but it’s a final: you either win it or lose it,” Denzel Dumfries said. “Of course, we lost badly – 5-0.

“But PSG were the better team and that May 31st wasn’t our day at all.

“We didn’t show what we’ve always been capable of: we didn’t win the duels, we were late where we’re usually sharp.

“You have to accept it and move on. Next year we’ll have another chance, and we have everything it takes to try again.

“Now the world knows Inter can reach a final – the next step is to prove Inter can win it.

“That’s the last step we’re missing, the hardest one, because some teams still start a bit ahead of us.

“But it’s a step we can and want to take. Just think: at the beginning, no one believed we could make the final, and yet we did it twice.

“Now it’s time to try to win it.”

Then, he admitted the rumors didn’t faze Inter much before their trip to Germany.

“No, but of course we read them,” Dumfries added. “We heard those rumors and carried them inside us, though we never talked about them among ourselves because each of us was focused solely on the final.

“I can assure you that in our minds, it was all about PSG and nothing else.”

Dumfries on Inzaghi Departure & Chivu Appointment

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 21: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, looks on during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between FC Internazionale Milano and Urawa Red Diamonds at Lumen Field on June 21, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Furthermore, Dumfries confirmed Inzaghi’s departure caught him off guard.

“It was very hard for me and for all of us,” he continued. “We were very close to Inzaghi.

“I arrived at Inter with him, and everything I built at the club was with him.

“For four years, we were like a family, so his departure marked the end of a cycle that’s about more than just football.

“But that’s life, and it always moves on and gives you new motivations.

“I’m very happy Inzaghi found a new adventure, but we’re also moving forward happily. We now have a great new coach to fight for.”

Cristian Chivu will try to help Inter recover after taking over from the ex-Lazio boss.

“Right now, we’re in a transitional phase,” Dumfries stated. “This Club World Cup is the beginning of something new for us, but also the end of something else.

“But it’s already clear that Chivu is a really great coach, with a very capable staff, and of course, some things will change.

“It’s important for us players to receive new energy and new ideas. And I think the new coach is capable of bringing that.

“The first two weeks of work have gone very well. And we can’t wait to continue in such a great competition.

“We’re just getting started, so these aren’t ideas that change our style of play entirely.

“However, more adjustments in certain phases of the match, for example how high we press.

“They’re mostly adaptations because over four years we developed our own way of playing under Inzaghi, and that brought excellent results.

“With the new coach, we’ll do the same – we’ll tweak some details together and follow new concepts.

“Maybe we’ll play a bit higher, but there’s a very positive atmosphere because Chivu is really good at getting his points across.

“This new energy, this new mindset, it starts with him.”

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Inter Milan’s Dutch defender #02 Denzel Dumfries celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A football match between Inter Milan and Sassuolo at the San Siro stadium in Milan on September 27, 2023. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP) (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)

Chivu has been without Dumfries in Inter’s opening two FIFA Club World Cup games.

However, the Dutch star could return to action against River Plate this midweek.

Asked how he feels, Dumfries replied: “Very well, thanks. I’m available for the River game.

“After my last match with the Netherlands, I had some physical issues and didn’t want to take any risks.

“At the end of the season, you always have some aches and a certain fatigue.”

Moreover, he confirmed there was no mental fatigue this time.

“No, this time it was purely physical. Even though it’s normal to have a bit of stress after everything that happened, you always have to accept it when your body and your mind send you messages.

“But now that’s all behind me: I want to contribute to building a new Inter too.”

Finally, he admitted a trophyless season didn’t feel right.

“We didn’t win a single trophy, even though we were capable of doing so – that’s a fact.

“Ending the season with zero trophies for a team as ambitious and strong as ours is very hard, especially since we came so close to our objectives…

“If we focus only on this moment right now, it’s clear we haven’t fully recovered mentally, but I think that’s normal.

“We’re human beings, not just footballers. We have to be honest: you can’t pretend nothing happened.

“At the same time, we’re trying to find the right positivity together to put the past behind us.

“No one will ever lose the pride of playing for one of the most important clubs in the world.

“Stronger than any disappointment is the motivation to start again.”