Ex Man United Veteran Declares Inter Milan ‘One Step From Making A Dream Come True’ Vs PSG In Champions League Final | OneFootball

Matteo Darmian says that Inter Milan are “one step from a dream come true” against PSG in the Champions League final.

The 35-year-old spoke at the UEFA Open Media day press conference ahead of Saturday’s match, as reported by FCInterNews. He noted how the 2023 final changed the Nerazzurri’s perspective.

Inter are just five days away from one of the biggest matches in their history.

This Saturday, the Nerazzurri will play in the Champions League final for the sixth time ever.

The last time that Inter won the competition was in the 2009-10 campaign.

However, it was just two years ago that Inter were most recently in the final. They narrowly lost to Manchester City in 2023, by a scoreline of just 1-0.

Darmian: “Inter Milan One Step From Making A Dream Come True” Vs PSG

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 06: Lautaro Martinez and Matteo Darmian of FC Internazionale celebrate after their team’s 4-3 victory in 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 Milan wingback Matteo Darmian noted that “two years ago, despite the loss, it was a big lesson for us.”

‘It made us aware of the fact that we’re a strong, mature team,” he said.

“As has been proven last season, and this one as well.”

“That growth led us to reach this match,” Darmian continued.

“We’re one step from a dream,” the former Manchester United and Torino veteran added. “And we hope that we can make it come true.”

“We’ll experience this week by building up all the emotions that await us,” Darmian continued.

“Because being able to play in a Champions League final is something extraordinary.”

“We experienced this two years ago. And that match gave us an awareness that we’d lacked.”

“We’ll go through the next few days in the best way possible, but preparing for this very difficult match.”

“We’ll take care of every little detail,” Darmian said. “Because they all matter a lot.”

And of Inter’s opponents in Saturday’s final, Darmian commented that “we know PSG are a very strong team.”

“Not just in attack, either.”

“They’ve already won everything in France,” the 35-year-old Italian international noted.

“I think they’re a complete, well-organized team. They have players of top quality.”

“We have to be careful at the back,” Darmian noted. “But we’ll have top work as a team, not just us as defenders.”

“We’ll have to play a great defensive match. Then, we have to play our game to get what we’re after.”

Darmian Recalls “Wonderful Memories” Of Hakimi At Inter

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 20: Achraf Hakimi of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Spezia Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 20, 2020 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Inter via Getty Images)

Inter Milan will be meeting a familiar face on Saturday in the form of PSG wingback Achraf Hakimi. The Moroccan made the move to the French capital from Inter in 2021.

“All the insiders and fans have wonderful memories of Hakimi,” said Darmian.

“He did very well in the season that culminated in winning the Scudetto.”

Darmian called Hakimi “an excellent player and a great guy.”

“He’s also proving that at PSG.”

“We hope he’s not celebrating on Saturday,” Darmian added. “But I wish him the best of luck in everything.”

Then, Darmian called Simone Inzaghi “a great coach.”

“Over the last few years he’s established a great relationship here,” the Italian international continued. “I’m not just talking on a personal level – I can speak for the whole team.”

“A union has been created between the players and coaching staff that makes all the difference,” said Darmian.

And then Darmian called Inter teammate and January signing Nicola Zalewski “a great player.”

“He’s integrated into the team very well from the start. He’s shown all his qualities.”

“He can play in different positions, that’s a positive for us.”

“We know he can give us a hand,” Darmian added of Zalewski. “And he’ll certainly keep doing so.”

And Darmian admitted that “for me, this could be the last time” he plays in a Champions League final.

“You can’t do something like reach the Champions League final every year.”

“But when you’re at a club like Inter, you always fight for trophies,” Darmian made clear. “And this time around, we deservedly reached the final.”

“I’ll enjoy these days, with the hope that we end up winning.”