When Inter Milan fell to Manchester City in the 2023 Champions League final, it felt like a golden opportunity missed. Their path to Istanbul had opened up beautifully, and many believed the trophy was within reach.
The summer that followed saw the departure of several key players, sparking doubts about the club’s direction. But under Simone Inzaghi, Inter have only grown stronger — and now stand just 90 minutes away from another Champions League semifinal.
Their dramatic 2-1 win over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena not only ended the Germans’ 22-game unbeaten home streak in the competition — the longest active run — but also confirmed Inter’s place as genuine contenders once again. A draw in the return leg would be enough to send them through, and potentially end Harry Kane’s European dream.
The Value of Experience
Inter may not be the youngest squad in the tournament, but they’re proving that experience counts. In fact, they’ve fielded the three oldest starting line-ups in this year’s Champions League.
With an average age of just under 30, this Inter side closely mirrors the age profile of José Mourinho’s 2009-10 treble-winning team — the oldest ever to lift the trophy.
Despite Bayern’s youth and superior financial firepower under Vincent Kompany, they only ran 2.6 kilometers more than Inter in the first leg — a marginal physical advantage that didn’t translate into control.
“They’ve built around players who know how to manage big moments,” said journalist Guillem Balague. “In the Champions League, it’s about seizing those moments and staying composed under pressure.”
That veteran core is complemented by a dynamic younger group, including 27-year-old forwards Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram, 28-year-old midfielder Nicolo Barella, and 26-year-old center-back Alessandro Bastoni.
Tactical Discipline and Big Moments
Inter’s first-leg performance was a masterclass in patience and precision. After absorbing pressure — including four key saves from goalkeeper Yann Sommer and a missed opportunity from Kane — they broke through with a stunning team goal finished by Martinez. A 12-pass sequence began with Sommer and ended with the ball in Bayern’s net.
“They’re clever,” said European football journalist Kristof Terreur. “They wait for opponents to slip up. Bayern have looked vulnerable in the Bundesliga, and Kompany is under real pressure.”
Even after Thomas Muller equalized in the 85th minute, Inter struck back almost immediately — Davide Frattesi capping off a lightning-quick move with a composed finish to silence the Munich crowd.
That result came despite the absences of wing-backs Federico Dimarco and Denzel Dumfries, both vital to Inzaghi’s setup.
“When Muller scored, I was worried for Inter,” said Serie A expert James Horncastle. “But they’ve matured. Inzaghi has broken the mental barrier they had under Spalletti and Conte. This is a team unafraid of anyone.”
Fortress at the Back
Inter’s success hasn’t just come from attacking fluency — their defense has been sensational in Europe.
They’ve conceded just three goals in 11 Champions League matches this season, an average of 0.27 per game — second only to AC Milan’s historic 1993-94 title-winning campaign.
That defensive solidity is anchored by veterans: Sommer (36), Stefan de Vrij (33), Matteo Darmian (35), and Francesco Acerbi (37), who expertly neutralized Kane in the first leg. Midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan (36) adds further experience, making Inter the first club to start four players over 35 in a Champions League knockout match.
“Inzaghi prefers intelligent defenders who can unsettle elite attackers like Kane or Leroy Sané,” said journalist David Ferrini. “Carlos Augusto dominated Konrad Laimer — that’s the kind of edge Inter has.”
Importantly, they don’t simply sit deep. Against Bayern, Inter executed 573 high-intensity pressures — the highest in a Champions League game this season, including matches with extra time.
Caution Amid the Confidence
Still, all is not perfect in Milan.
Bayern’s seven shots on target matched the most Inter have allowed in this season’s campaign. Domestically, they’ve shown signs of wear, now only three points clear of Napoli in the Serie A title race — down from a 14-point lead at this stage last year.
“Inter have just one clean sheet in their last six league games at San Siro,” Ferrini noted. “They’ve struggled at home against top teams, and Bayern could pose a real threat.”
Despite that, Inter are unbeaten in their past 14 home Champions League games. The last team to beat them at San Siro? Bayern.
“It’s tough to say if we can go all the way,” said writer and lifelong Inter fan Naomi Accardi. “We might have to settle for the Scudetto. But of course, winning the Champions League would mean everything.”
Unsurprisingly, her favorite Inter side remains Mourinho’s 2010 champions. But this team may be writing their own chapter — five straight Champions League wins hint at something special.
The last time they managed that? Fifteen seasons ago… when they went all the way.