Inzaghi: ‘Inter respect PSG, but they must be wary of us too’ | OneFootball

Simone Inzaghi warns Paris Saint-Germain they ‘must be wary of Inter’ in the Champions League Final, so there is the same ‘respect’ as against Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Arsenal.

It kicks off in Munich on Saturday May 31 at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT, 21.00 CET).

This will be the second Champions League Final for Inter and Inzaghi in the last three years, an achievement few big clubs manage, but the sting from that 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in Istanbul still burns.

“I am feeling emotional about it, we did great work to get here, but there is one final step to make the dream come true,” said the coach in his press conference for Media Day.

While Inter had been in the running for the Treble a few weeks ago, their campaign collapsed with three defeats in a week between Serie A and the Coppa Italia semi-final to Milan.

“We just finished a season that left us some memories. Naturally, there is disappointment, but it is only right to congratulate Napoli for a fight to the end.”

Inter injury updates for star men

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 16: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Bayern München at San Siro on April 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Injuries have also piled up on the Nerazzurri, but they should have a full complement of players for the Final against Paris Saint-Germain.

“Both Benjamin Pavard and Piotr Zielinski are available. Lautaro Martinez and Davide Frattesi are fine too, they were ready against Como if it was needed, but we were already winning. As a coach, I am proud to lead this group of players. We are facing a great opponent, just like all those over these four years in the Champions League, so there will be moments in the match when we’re under pressure, which is when we must rely on our organisation.

“Don’t forget, Paris Saint-Germain also recently lost a Champions League Final, so between us we are the few who will have two Finals in just a few years.”

Inter seeking third Champions League trophy

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho lifts the trophy in front of his team after winning the UEFA Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, 22 May 2010. EPA/EMILIO NARANJO NO MOBILE DEVICES

It would be the first edition of the Champions League for PSG, who are still on track for their own Treble, having won Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France.

“If we want to enter the history books, then we have to win on Saturday,” added Inzaghi.

“We respect PSG a great deal, just as we did Bayern Munich and Barcelona, but they will be up against a team with their same ambitions and objectives. They have a lot of talented individuals and a coach who I really admire, who set out some very precise tactical principles in the team. We know what we’re up against and will be prepared, knowing it requires a great Inter side to win.”

PSG favourites against Inter

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 29: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Paris Saint-Germain challenged by Bukayo Saka of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium on April 29, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Many consider Paris Saint-Germain to be the favourites, although Inter were also underdogs in the hard-fought battles with Bayern Munich and Barcelona too.

“We know the talent at their disposal, but organisation and team spirit can help us. We need to be as aggressive, hard-working and determined as we’ve already seen in this Champions League campaign.

“We also faced Arsenal and Manchester City this season, and were undefeated there too. So PSG are a complete squad, but they too must be wary of an Inter side that fully deserved to be in this Final. We both know anything can happen in 90 minutes and individual incidents can be decisive, so we must try to steer those in our direction.”

epa12078784 FC Inter’s Davide Frattesi (R) celebrates scoring the 4-3 goal during the UEFA Champions League semifinal 2nd leg soccer match between Inter Milan and FC Barcelona, in Milan, Italy, 06 May 2025. EPA-EFE/ROBERTO BREGANI

If Inter lose this Final, they will end the season empty-handed, whereas lifting that trophy would write their name in the history books.

“It makes all the difference, but either way the lads have been extraordinary this season. We played 59 matches, gave everything we had without choosing one tournament over another. We didn’t seek any alibis when faced with unpredictable events. We had our say in Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and an exhilarating run in the Champions League.”

While he has never won the Champions League trophy as a player or coach, his brother Pippo Inzaghi did experience the former at Milan. Which is worth more?

“I hope we get to find out! Pippo and I can ask our parents what was more satisfying.”

Simone Inzaghi also commented on those reports of a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.