Zanetti inspires Inter to use PSG defeat as fuel for fire | OneFootball

Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti has urged the club to channel the disappointment of last season’s 5-0 Champions League final defeat to PSG into motivation as they prepare for a fresh European campaign. Speaking after this evening’s draw for the league phase, the Argentine stressed the importance of looking forward under new head coach Cristian Chivu.

The Nerazzurri will face off against Liverpool, Arsenal, Slavia Prague and Kairat Almaty at home, travelling to play Dortmund, Atlético Madrid, Ajax and Union SG away.

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 22: Javier Zanetti, Vice President of FC Internazionale celebrates after winning the Serie A TIM title after winning the the Serie A TIM match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 22, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Inter’s Zanetti reflects on 24-25 heartbreak

Zanetti admitted that losing heavily to PSG in the final was a bitter blow but believes the experience should not define Inter’s future. “We start again with great enthusiasm, with a new head coach and a new journey,” he told Sky Sport, with quotes via FcInterNews. “Reaching the final was a huge achievement, even if it ended badly. Football teaches us there are always new goals. This is a new season in a competition we love and we will try to honour it as we always have, aiming to go as far as possible.”

The former Inter captain insisted that the Champions League remains a central target for Inter, who are determined to prove they belong among Europe’s elite despite last season’s disappointment.

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 25: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of Internazionale, looks on prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on August 25, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Zanetti backs Chivu to shine

Much of Zanetti’s focus was on Chivu, his former team-mate and now Inter’s new head coach. He revealed that he had long believed the Romanian would become a coach.

“Yes, I always expected Cristian would become a head coach,” Zanetti said, “He was an extraordinary teammate on and off the pitch, and you could see from his intelligence that he was destined for this. Now he has this great opportunity and it is up to us to support him and give him everything he needs for a strong season both in Italy and Europe.”

Zanetti even mentioned another ex-teammate, Esteban Cambiasso, as someone he hopes will one day follow a similar path. For now, though, all his attention is on helping Chivu settle into the dugout at San Siro.