Calhanoglu: ‘Inter learned from Manchester City, will do things better against PSG’ | OneFootball

Hakan Calhanoglu feels Inter ‘learned from the experience’ of losing the Champions League Final to Manchester City, so against PSG they will ‘do many things better and differently.’

It kicks off at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Saturday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT, 21.00 CET).

It is the second Champions League Final in three years for the Nerazzurri, with many of the same players who were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City in Istanbul back in 2023.

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 06: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammates during 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)

“After that game with Manchester City, we had the time to work on a few things and do them better,” Calhanoglu told Sky Sport Italia.

“Now we have more experience, and I think the team has really grown a great deal. We showed our mentality in several matches, above all in the Champions League to eliminate Barcelona and Bayern Munich, two fantastic teams.

“We poured our whole heart onto the pitch, and I think that is our secret.”

Calhanoglu aiming for Inter success story

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 06: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale (L) celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Marcus Thuram (R) during 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)

Inter are fresh from missing out on the Serie A title by a single point to Napoli, while they also lost the Supercoppa Italiana Final and the Coppa Italia semi-final, so this is their last chance to win silverware this season.

“We are united, even if it hurts to lose the Scudetto, but we played very well. With so many matches, we only lost by one point. It hurts, but we have to look forward and are happy to be talking about the Champions League Final.”

It would be quite a turnaround for Inter to go from potential Treble winners to ending the campaign empty-handed, whereas Paris Saint-Germain have won every other trophy they were involved in so far this season.

“We have to press the reset button, and I think spending time with our families at home helped clear our heads,” added Calhanoglu.

“Every day there is the hope to do better, not just us players, but all those who work here. It hurts the day after a defeat, but these experiences help you to grow. It is our second opportunity to win a Final and we want to finish the job, albeit knowing PSG are a great team.”

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 10: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 10, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The 2023 edition was in Istanbul, so there was even more pressure piled on the Turkish midfielder in his home country.

“I did feel stronger emotions in Istanbul, as it was my first Champions League Final, but I learned a lot from that experience. Hopefully, we can do many things better and differently this time around,” confessed Calhanoglu.

While usually there is a favourite and an underdog going into the Champions League Final, the situation is pretty even between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter.

“We respect all teams, just as we did with Bayern Munich and Barcelona. We know PSG are a strong side, with a great coach, and that they want the Treble. We’ve got to be focused from the first minute to the last, just as we were against Barcelona, and play with heart,” concluded Calhanoglu.