Ribery: Inzaghi's Inter ‘a beautiful machine', but Muller wants to ‘end Bayern story' with final
Ribery: Inzaghi's Inter 'a beautiful machine', but Muller wants to 'end Bayern story' with final
Ex-Fiorentina star Franck Ribery added his voice to the praise for Inter coach Simone Inzaghi, describing his team as a 'beautiful machine' and saying they are 'on the same level' as Bayern Munich, the Frenchman's former club and Nerazzurri's opponent in the upcoming Champions League quarter-finals.
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As the Biscione gear up for the first leg at the Allianz Arena, amid fitness concerns for both sides, Ribery spoke about the potential of the Serie A giants—who defeated the Bayern Munich team he played for in the 2010 Champions League final.
Franck Ribery
'I'll never forget the suspension in the first leg against Lyon, which cost me the final at the Bernabeu: it was a huge blow,' Ribery told La Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview.
'But you can't control everything in a career. I can't say for sure Bayern would have beaten Inter with me on the pitch—we might've lost anyway—but I would've been an extra weapon.'
Ribery: Inter 'on the same level' as Bayern, they can believe in winning Champions League
Switching to the present, the former France international firmly believes Inter can go toe to toe with the Bundesliga powerhouse, suggesting the match could hang in the balance and be decided by fine margins, as both sides are genuine contenders to lift the trophy.
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'[It'll be] Balanced, thrilling, unpredictable,' Ribery continued.
'A great match to watch because they're two giants, even though unfortunately the German side has many absences. In these kinds of games, you have to give more than 100%, physically and especially mentally.
'Bayern are always Bayern, but Inter are on the same level in terms of solidity and organisation—they can really believe in winning this Cup.
'Simone has built a beautiful machine, his teams have a clear identity: I like people who put themselves on the line like he does.
'Just like his brother Pippo. For a short while in Salerno, I was his technical assistant, and we clicked immediately—when it comes to champions, there's no need for many words.'
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 11: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and Feyenoord at Stadio San Siro on March 11, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by)
The 42-year-old also expressed his admiration for Marcus Thuram, the son of his former France national team teammate Lilian, noting his impressive development and the special chemistry he seems to share with Lautaro Martinez.
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'All it takes is a few minutes talking with Lilian and you understand why Marcus turned out so well,' Ribery observed.
'You get the mentality that runs in that family. Thuram knows there are no shortcuts, that growth happens step by step—and he's making all the right ones. It's a joy to watch him run and to see his chemistry with Lautaro.
'I love Inter's forwards—you can tell they're real friends, just like Arjen and I were.
'But beyond playing in different roles, we were at the top for ten years: the Ribery-Robben duo made football history, not just Bayern's.'
Focusing on his former side, Ribery had high praise for both coach Vincent Kompany and Michael Olise, whose lethal dribbling evokes echoes of his own playing style.
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'He's a great surprise, I like the mentality he brings,' the former winger said.
'And he's French too… I know how hard it is to change countries, languages, and goals: the pressure will rise, but he'll know how to handle it.
'Also thanks to Kompany, who's regained the feeling with the squad and has that 'special light' in his eyes that people truly in love with football have.'
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 13: Alessio Romagnoli of SS Lazio compete for the ball with Thomas Muller of Bayern Munchen during a press conference ahead of their UEFA Champions League match against SS Lazio and Bayern Munchen at Formello sport centre on February 13, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi –)
A final warning for Inter concerns Ribery's former teammate Thomas Muller, who is determined to end his 17-season journey at Bayern Munich on a high note, following the announcement that he will leave the club at the end of the season.
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'I'll mention the ones still there: Neuer—unfortunately injured—and Müller, a unique champion, a warrior who leads by example,' he said when asked about the players he's still connected to.
'He's not as young as Musiala, but Thomas's experience is priceless. And he wants to end his Bayern story in the best way, with the final at home.'
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