Netherlands Star Says ‘Experience From 2023 Final Can Help Inter Milan’ In Champions League Showdown Vs PSG | OneFootball

Stefan de Vrij says that the experience of the 2023 Champions League final can help Inter Milan when they face PSG.

The Dutchman spoke to reporters at the Nerazzurri’s Open Media Day ahead of the final, via FCInterNews.

Inter Milan take on Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the Champions League next Saturday.

This will be the culmination of an impressive run to the final which saw the Nerazzurri’s knock out the likes of Feyenoord, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona along the way.

However, this is not the first time that Inter have been here.

Far from it, in fact. The Nerazzurri were already in the final of the Champions League just 24 months ago.

Inter reached the final of the 2023-24 edition of the competition.

That time around, the Nerazzurri faced Premier League juggernauts Manchester City.

Inter went toe-to-toe with the English team. They made a mockery of the idea that they were undeardogs against Pep Guardiola’s team.

However, in spite of that, Inter were unable to get the win they craved. They ended up losing by a narrow 1-0 scoreline.

Stefan De Vrij: “2023 Final Can Help Inter” Vs PSG In Champions League Showdown

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 12: Stefan de Vrij of FC Internazionale acknowledges the fans during the warm up prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Cagliari at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 12, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

In preparation for the final against PSG, Stefan de Vrij said that “the experience of having already played in a final helps.”

“It’s a one-off match,” the 33-year-old former Lazio defender continued. “And there’s a very important trophy up for grabs.”

“We’ve played in many finals. And I think that helps us.”

De Vrij then said that “we’ve had two days off to put the disappointment of the league behind us.”

“Now it’s time for us to turn that into something positive.”

“We’ve rested up,” de Vrij said. “And we have a week to prepare.”

Meanwhile, de Vrij spoke about Francesco Acerbi’s 93rd minute equalizer against Barcelona in the semifinal second leg. “As with everyone else, I felt enormous happiness,” he said.

“The time was ticking away. And he just stayed up there to try for it.”

“He scored a great goal,” de Vrij added. “And that gave us the push we needed to bring the match home in extra time.”

De Vrij Says “No One Can Say We’ve Had An Easy Draw This Time”

EMPOLI, ITALY – OCTOBER 30: Stefan de Vrij of FC Internazionale passes the ball during the Serie A match between Empoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Carlo Castellani on October 30, 2024 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Stefan de Vrij was asked about the difference between this run to the final, and that of the spring of 2023, which saw Inter eliminate Porto, Benfica, and AC Milan.

“Certainly, the people who said it was an easy draw two years ago can’t say that today,” the Dutchman said.

“We’ve beaten Bayern and Barcelona. And we also have the experience of playing in the final, and we know what’s waiting for us.”

Meanwhile, de Vrij denied that the disappointment over the Serie A title race is a motivation for Inter against PSG. “That’s another story,” he said.”

‘There’s disappointment,” the 33-year-old admitted. “But it’s behind us.”

“Let’s move forward. And starting today, we’ll start preparing for the final with great desire.”

“We’ll do it the way we do for every match,” said de Vrij. “In the best way that we can. And we’ll do everything to win.”

Meanwhile, de Vrij also commented that he “doesn’t know” whether the final against PSG will be a similar match tactically to the ones against Barcelona.

“Every match is different,” added the Dutch international.

“But in some way, this opponent does resemble Barcelona. They have a lot of quality players with pace. They move a lot.”

‘But we’re solid,” de Vrij maintained. “We’ll prepare to be at our best.”

“Because against Barcelona we conceded six goals. That was very different from how we’ve been in the Champions League.”

“We’ll do everything to both defend and attack well,” the 33-year-old made clear.