Inter Milan's road to the Champions League final

Manchester City and Inter Milan clash in Istanbul on Saturday, with both clubs aiming to collect the ultimate prize in European football - the UEFA Champions League title.

WHEN: Saturday, 10 June.
BROADCAST DETAILS: SS Premier League channel (203/223). Build-up from 7pm CAT, kick-off 9pm.

Here we take a look at Inter Milan's route to the final, which began back in September 2022.

Inter Milan (ITA) 

Uefa coefficient ranking: 11
This season: Won 7, Drew 3, Lost 2, Goals For 19, Goals Against 10
Group C: Runners-up
Round of 16: Won  1-0 agg v Porto
Quarterfinals:  Won 5-3 agg v Benfica
Semifinals: Won 3-0 agg v Milan

Pedigree

Last final appearance: 2010 (W 2-0 v Bayern)
Last season: Round of 16 (L 1-2agg v Liverpool)
Best European Cup performance:  Winners (1963/64, 1964/65, 2009/10)

Campaign so far

While Inter have struggled for consistency in Serie A, the Nerazzurri have consistently performed in the Champions League. They qualified from a strong group including Bayern and Barcelona and have now reached the final after eliminating Porto, Benfica and Milan. They have put in six solid knockout stage performances, keeping five clean sheets in the process, and more than merited their 3-0 aggregate victory over their city rivals.

Why they can go all the way

Because this Inter side seemed designed to produce their best in big games. Just watch their results in all competitions in 2023. The Nerazzurri have often lost against lower-ranked teams in Serie A, but have always performed against the top sides. The game in Istanbul will be one of the biggest in the club's history.

How do Inter play?

The system is a 3-5-2, where wing-backs, namely Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco, are required to cover the entire flank. One of the three midfielders is a deep-lying playmaker: Hakan Çalhanoglu is now preferred to Marcelo Brozovic for this role. The two other midfielders, Nicolò Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, lead the pressing and support the attackers. Edin Džeko and Romelu Lukaku are alternating as attacking partners for Lautaro Martínez to great effect. A nice dilemma for Simone Inzaghi in Istanbul.

Coach: Simone Inzaghi

A Serie A and three-time Coppa Italia winner as a player with Lazio, the 46-year-old also brought a domestic cup to Rome during his five seasons in charge. Took over from Antonio Conte in 2021, winning the domestic Super Cup and Coppa Italia in his first campaign at the helm.

Key player: Lautaro Martínez

Nicknamed 'The Bull', Martínez ended the 2021/22 campaign with 25 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions – his best haul since arriving in Milan from Racing Club in 2018. Formed a prolific partnership with Lukaku, who returned from Chelsea but did not play much in the first half of the season due to injury. The pair combined expertly for Martínez's second-leg winner against Milan.

Did you know?

Inzaghi could become the first Italian coach to lead Inter to European glory. The Nerazzurri's previous triumphs in the competition were under Helenio Herrera (1964 and 1965) and José Mourinho (2010).