In a dramatic 182 minutes over two matches, 37-year-old centre-back Francesco Aservi found himself far up the pitch, despite having not scored in over a year. In fact, he hadn’t even registered a point in 65 UEFA Club appearances. Yet, this wasn’t his usual role, nor was it how most anticipated the Champions League semi-finals to unfold.
Maybe it’s just how it is. The Inter club anthem echoes, “Pazza Inter Amala,” which translates to “Crazy Inter, Love Her.” This isn’t Real Madrid saying, “Winning is everything.” Aservi’s strike pushed the score to 6-6, taking the clash into extra time. How else could things have played out?
This goes beyond mere luck—Inter is advancing to their second Champions League final in three years, and it’s because they are one of the top teams in the world. With players like Lautaro Martinez, who scored every 85 minutes this season, they quickly turned a potential setback into a success, just days after he limped off with a hamstring injury. Manager Simone Inzaghi has proven to be tactically astute, employing a system built on trust and effective communication.
However, the games against Barcelona came at a tough time. Inter has been struggling domestically, suffering three consecutive losses in April that saw them out of the Coppa Italia and jeopardizing their Serie A standing. It was as if they were in a free fall, facing a relentless schedule. Their lineup against Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals was the oldest in Champions League history, averaging 31.1 years old. They also fielded the fewest players in Serie A.
But experience evidently pays off. Inter performed far better than they had against Barcelona and Bayern in earlier rounds. They made uncharacteristic errors and conceded goals—something they’d done in the last two seasons—but they kept their cool and rebounded each time. For instance, against Bayern, they quickly regained the lead after slipping behind. Their ability to respond when challenged was commendable.
When things heated up in the first leg, the less resilient team might have crumbled, but Aservi and others stood firm even when the pressure was immense. Some players may have been tempted to respond negatively when things got tough, but they held it together.
As noted by former manager Arrigo Sacchi, who boasts two Champions League victories, this team has “grown over time.” Seven of the eleven starters had played in their previous Champions League adventure against Manchester City two years ago.
Inter certainly understands what it takes to win at this level. Inzaghi’s leadership is a testament to that. Since taking charge in 2021, he has transformed the squad, restoring them to this elite stage after a decade of absence.
They’ve learned not to take these moments lightly. Inter was indeed more consistent during the previous season but fell short against Atletico Madrid, exiting before the quarter-finals. After one of the matches, Martinez expressed his commitment to play through pain, revealing a deep emotional connection to the game, while Fratesi, who scored the crucial goal in extra time, admitted to also battling an undisclosed injury. “We owe a debt of gratitude to the physios,” he said, celebrating hard and later remarking on the overwhelming emotions he felt after the game.
Acerbi and Frattesi embody different roles within the team. One is a seasoned starter and leader, and the other a player fighting for a consistent spot since moving from Sassuolo for 30 million euros two years ago. Yet, they share a bond through their personal struggles—the loss of family members impacting their lives and driving their urgency on the pitch.
“I’m not an incredible talent,” Fratesi remarked, reflecting on his journey.
