Inzaghi returns to the Champions League final and proves Guardiola right

Two years after suffering defeat in the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League final, Inter Milan are back on the biggest stage in European football.

In a dramatic, nerve-shredding second leg that went to extra time, Simone Inzaghi’s side triumphed 4-3 over Barcelona at San Siro, clinching a 7-6 aggregate victory and sealing their place in the final of the 2024/25 competition.

It is a moment of redemption for Inzaghi and his team, who fell just short in Istanbul two years ago when they lost 1-0 to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. On that night, a single goal from Spanish midfielder Rodri made the difference, handing City their first-ever Champions League title and leaving Inter who had performed admirably throughout the tournament with a deep sense of what might have been.

After that final, while the world celebrated City's long-awaited triumph, Guardiola took a moment to single out Simone Inzaghi for praise, showing not just respect but also confidence in the Italian’s future. “I want to tell Inzaghi that what he’s feeling now, we felt two years ago,” said Guardiola at the time. “He should know he’s coaching the second-strongest team in Europe and therefore, a great team. He will be back in the final. That’s how sport works: sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.”

That statement, said in the glow of victory, has now aged into prophecy. Inzaghi’s journey back to the final has not been easy. After the heartbreak of 2023, there were questions about whether Inter would be able to maintain the same level of performance, especially as rivals in Italy and abroad strengthened. But the Italian manager remained calm, instilling tactical discipline, unity, and mental resilience in his squad.

This season’s Champions League campaign has shown a different side of Inter. While their 2022/23 run was marked by pragmatism and defensive solidity, the current campaign has featured a more expansive, courageous style of play. The semi-final second leg against Barcelona was a case in point a chaotic, breathtaking encounter filled with attacking ambition, individual brilliance, and moments of collective determination.

San Siro erupted in ecstasy as Inter finally sealed the win in extra time, exorcising the ghosts of past disappointments and writing a new chapter in the club’s rich European history. It is a return to the final not just for the club, but for a manager who has been patient, methodical, and consistent in his belief.

For Inzaghi, this is the culmination of years of growth. Once seen as a capable but under-the-radar figure in Italian football, he has evolved into one of Europe’s most respected managers. His tactical acumen blending the traditional Italian emphasis on structure with a modern, fluid attacking approach has won admiration from both peers and pundits.

The victory over Barcelona is also a significant psychological milestone. Barça, with their pedigree, talent, and recent domestic resurgence, were considered slight favourites. But Inter, spurred on by a raucous home crowd and a clear sense of purpose, played with authority. The emotional release at full-time was palpable for the players, the staff, and especially the fans, who have waited two long years to have another chance at European glory.

Now, Inter await their final opponent. The other semi-final will be decided this Wednesday night, as Paris Saint-Germain host Arsenal at the Parc des Princes. The French side, led by Luis Enrique and featuring stars like Kylian Mbappé, took a slender 1-0 lead from the first leg in London. Arsenal, meanwhile, are chasing their first Champions League final since 2006 and will be hoping to pull off a famous comeback on French soil.

Regardless of who joins them in the final, Inter's return is already a triumph in itself a testament to resilience, vision, and quiet determination. And for Simone Inzaghi, it is a vindication not just of his methods, but of Guardiola’s words. Two years ago, he walked away from the final as a dignified runner-up. Now, he walks into a new final as a man with unfinished business.