Champions League Final: Why Inter Milan and coach Simone Inzaghi should not be underestimated before the Istanbul Final | football news

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Inter Milan is all that stands in the way of Manchester City in achieving a historic triple in the Champions League final. Inter coach Simone Inzaghi has won all seven cup finals as a coach; Catch the UEFA Champions League Final on Sky Sports’ live blog on Saturday, 8pm

Posted by Sam Blitz, SamBIitz

7:11, United Kingdom, Friday 09 June 2023

I love the title: King of Cups. It may be his first Champions League final, but this is far from his first Simon Inzaghi Cup Rodeo.

Indeed, few in European football can boast a better record in these scenarios than the Inter Milan coach. The Italian has won all seven cup finals with Lazio and Inter – most of which saw his side enter the match as underdogs.

This is why Inzaghi can speak with confidence about Inter’s chances, sporting nicknames like the aforementioned in his press conferences. Be careful, Manchester City. Whatever Pep Guardiola, Erling Haaland and company bring to the table, this Inter side – captained by Inzaghi – are in luck.

Photo: Simone Inzaghi has won all seven cup finals with Lazio and Inter Milan

“In Europe, no one wants to play against Inter, we are a difficult team to play against,” right-back Denzel Dumfries told Sky Italia this week.

“Only paper underdogs: a final is a final. There are different things involved. We’re going into this match to win.”

Inzaghi held only two managerial positions during his seven years in the dugout. Comparisons to Guardiola are chalk and cheese – when the City boss won his first Champions League with Barcelona in 2009, Inzaghi was still in his Lazio days.

But the 47-year-old is already developing his reputation in the game. Not only is he seen as a cup specialist, but he’s also known for getting the best out of players in their 30s – and doesn’t need to make many changes to his squad during transfer windows, nor his line-up.

That’s why he was appointed to replace Antonio Conte in 2021, when the former Chelsea and Tottenham boss departed San Siro due to disagreements over transfer plans. Inzaghi offers a simple and cost effective approach to modern day management.

Lautaro Martinez agrees. “Change a lot does not mean things will work out, so when you have a clear idea and you study matches and opponents, things are a lot easier,” the Argentine said this week.

“We feel very comfortable with the coach because he works well and prepares for the matches properly.”

As at Lazio, Inzaghi implemented a 3-5-2 at Inter based on a reliable defensive line, experience and cunning in midfield and a clear partnership between the two strikers.

The last part of this team reached its peak in time. Romelu Lukaku has forced his way into the starting line-up with seven goals and four assists in his last seven league matches. Martinez has seven goals and three assists in his last eight.

The duo have assisted each other five times in their last 11 matches, the ‘Lola’ partnership – as it is known in Italy – is back.

In an interview with Darren Lewis for CNN, Romelu Lukaku pays a tearful tribute to his late grandfather – his ‘biggest fan’ – and says the celebration is his goal for him and his promise to take care of his mother

Another boost for Inter is that City have shown signs of weakness against teams who adopt three or five defenses – depending on which way you look at it.

Brentford beat City twice this season with a 3-5-2 plan, thwarted Premier League champions Tottenham to a 1-0 defeat in February, Everton went out 1-1 after converting to three in back, while Tottenham and Tottenham advanced Palace 2-2. 0 in the union using that defensive formation.

“I’ve been there twice with Wolves and we’ve always played central defense five times,” Connor Cody told BBC Radio Five Live this week.

“A lot of people look at it and say, ‘Boring wolves, don’t go out and play’ but I think we won in the Etihad, we drew in the Etihad and then I drew Everton in the Etihad. [this season]. Sometimes you have to sit back and frown and make it terrible.

Brentford defender Ben Mee offers a great insight into how they managed to prevent Erling Haaland from scoring in their win at the Etihad Stadium in November.

“We talked about it when we went there with Everton this year to try not to give them space at the back.

“It was huge for us going there and when we had the chance to fight back, we tried to be relentless with it. When you get the ball back, you don’t think: ‘Let’s try and keep it.’ We go try and score.”

And if any team can hold out against City, this is Inter. The Nerazzurri have eight clean sheets in 10 Champions League matches this season, including five out of six in the Champions League.

But the final against the best team and striker in the world, on the biggest stage no less, is another task entirely. But Inzaghi has shown that he can never be underestimated.

“I’ve always had strong teams at Lazio and Inter and in the crucial finals we’ve always attacked and defended well. We’ll do the same against City.”

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