After a commanding 2-0 victory over Feyenoord in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, Inter’s head coach, Simone Inzaghi, hinted at the possibility of emulating Jose Mourinho’s historic treble-winning campaign in 2010. When asked if his team could secure two trophies this season—by maintaining their Serie A lead and winning the Champions League—Inzaghi interrupted, holding up three fingers and declaring, “No, three.”
Inter remains in contention for the Italian Cup, where they will face city rivals AC Milan in a two-legged semifinal derby. Additionally, the club has qualified for the expanded Club World Cup in the United States this summer, offering another potential trophy opportunity.
Defensive Dominance
One area where this Inter side already rivals Mourinho’s legendary team is defense. Inter has conceded just one goal in nine Champions League matches this season—the best record in the competition. Their solid backline held firm against an attack-minded Feyenoord side, which featured three strikers in Robin van Persie’s Champions League coaching debut.
“We knew they had quick forwards, and we defended well when needed,” Inzaghi said.
Injuries forced Inter to deploy central defender Alessandro Bastoni as a wing-back, a move that showcased the team’s adaptability. “Bastoni is a world-class defender who understood the team’s needs. That’s what we coaches want to see,” Inzaghi added.
Flying the Flag for Italy
Inter is the sole Italian representative left in the Champions League after Milan, Juventus, and Atalanta were eliminated in the knockout playoffs. No Italian team has lifted the Champions League trophy since Inter defeated Bayern Munich in the 2010 final. Interestingly, Inter could face Bayern again in the quarterfinals, following Bayern’s 3-0 victory over Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Before focusing on European glory, Inter must navigate a Serie A clash against bottom-placed Monza on Saturday, followed by the second leg against Feyenoord at the San Siro three days later. In Serie A, Inter holds a narrow one-point lead over Napoli, who are out of European competition and the Italian Cup.
Lautaro’s Love for Inter
Lautaro Martinez, who scored against Feyenoord, now has 18 Champions League goals, surpassing Inter legend Sandro Mazzola’s record. The Argentine striker, who extended his contract with Inter until 2029, expressed his affection for the club.
“I would gladly play for Inter my entire career, though many factors come into play,” Lautaro said. “I wake up every morning eager to train, and my family is happy here too.”
As Inter continues its pursuit of multiple trophies, the team’s blend of defensive solidity, attacking firepower, and unwavering ambition has fans dreaming of a new golden era.