Inter Milan is all that stands in Manchester City’s way to a historic treble in the Champions League final; Inter boss Simone Inzaghi has won all seven of his cup finals as a manager; follow the Champions League final on Sky Sports’ live blog on Saturday, kick-off 8pm
“I really like the nickname: The King of Bowls.” It may be his first Champions League final, but it’s far from Simone Inzaghi’s first cup final rodeo.
Indeed, few in European football can boast a better record in these scenarios than the Inter Milan manager. The Italian won all seven of his cup finals with Lazio and Inter – and most of them saw his side go into the game as underdogs.
That’s why Inzaghi can speak confidently about Inter’s chances and enjoy nicknames like the above in his press conferences. Be warned, Manchester City. No matter what Pep Guardiola, Erling Haaland and Co present, this Inter team – led by Inzaghi – is brave.
Simone Inzaghi won all seven of his cup finals with Lazio and Inter
“In Europe nobody wants to play against Inter, we are a difficult team to play against,” said right-back Denzel Dumfries Sky Italy this week.
“The underdogs are only on paper: the final is the final. Various things are involved. We go into this game to win.”
Inzaghi has held just two managerial positions in his seven years in the dugout. Comparisons with Guardiola are like chalk and cheese – when the City manager won his first Champions League with Barcelona in 2009, Inzaghi was still playing for Lazio.
But the 47-year-old is already making a name for himself in the game. Not only is he considered a cup specialist, but he’s known for getting the best out of players in their 30s – and he doesn’t have to make many changes to his squad during transfer windows, nor to his squad.
That’s why he was hired to replace Antonio Conte in 2021 when the former Chelsea and Tottenham manager left the San Siro amid a disagreement over transfer plans. Inzaghi offers a cost-effective and simple approach to modern management.
Lautaro Martinez agrees. “A lot of changes doesn’t mean things will work out, so when you have a clear idea and study the games and the opponents, things are much easier,” the Argentine said this week.
“We feel very comfortable with the coach because he works well and prepares the matches properly.
Like Lazio, Inzaghi has implemented a 3-5-2 formation at Inter based on a solid defensive line, experience and guile in midfield and a clear partnership between the two strikers.
The last part of this team is peaking at the right time. Romelu Lukaku has forced his way into the starting line-up with seven goals and four assists in his last seven league games. Martinez has seven goals and three assists in his last eight.
The pair have assisted each other five times in the last 11 games, the “LuLa” partnership – as it is known in Italy – is back.
In an interview with CNN’s Darren Lewis, Romelu Lukaku paid tearful tribute to his late grandfather – his “biggest fan” – and said his goal celebration was about him and his promise to look after his mother
Another boost for Inter is that City have shown signs of frailty against teams that use a back three or five – depending on how you look at it.
Brentford have beaten City twice this season using a 3-5-2 formation, Tottenham frustrated the Premier League champions to a 1-0 defeat in February, Everton drew 1-1 after switching to a back three, while Spurs and Palace took a 2-0 lead at the Etihad using this defensive set-up.
“I went there with Wolves a few times and we always played five at the back,” Conor Coady told the BBC Radio Five Live this week.
“A lot of people look at it and say, ‘Oh, Wolves are boring, they don’t go out and play’, but I think we won at the Etihad, drew at the Etihad and then I drew with Everton at the Etihad (this season). Sometimes you have to sit down and let yourself down and do it horribly.
“We talked about that when we went there with Everton this year that we tried not to give them space at the back.
“That was a huge thing for us when we went there and when we got a chance to counter, we tried to be ruthless on it. When you get the ball back, you don’t think, ‘Let’s try to keep it.’ go try and score.”
And if any team can withstand City, this Inter can. The Nerazzurri have eight clean sheets in 10 Champions League games this season, including five of their six Champions League knockout games.
But a final against the best team and striker in the world, on the biggest stage no less, is another task altogether. But Inzaghi showed he is never to be underestimated.
“I always had strong teams in Lazio and Inter and in decisive finals we always attacked and defended well. We will do the same against City.”