Latest news with #FCInternazionale
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
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Paul Ince: ‘Inter have no superstars for PSG clash, but they have big game players'
Paul Ince: 'Inter have no superstars for PSG clash, but they have big game players' Former Inter striker Paul Ince pointed out that while the Nerazzurri may not have any true 'superstars' in their squad, they could make their experience count in the Champions League final against PSG. Although most expect a tightly balanced contest, Simone Inzaghi's side are not considered favourites in Munich, largely due to the combination of qualities that make the French giants a particularly challenging opponent for them. MILAN, ITALY – MAY 18: Yann Aurel Bisseck of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Marcus Thuram during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 18, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by) However, Ince noted that Inter can rely on a cohesive group that has faced numerous tests and challenges together in recent years, suggesting they may know how to manage a game of such magnitude—despite lacking headline names in their ranks. Ince trusts in Inter's mentality and experience for PSG clash despite lack of superstars 'I think, you know, obviously a lot of people fancy PSG,' Ince told Bet 365, as quoted by The Mirror. Advertisement 'I can see that from an attacking point of view, but I also look at Inter. 'They've been here before, lost to Manchester City a couple of years back. That's probably still in their minds as a bitter pill to swallow. Paul Ince believes Inter Milan's experience could be the difference in the Champions League final 🏆#intermilan | #ucl — Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) May 30, 2025 'But they've got an experienced team and big game players. They haven't got any superstars. Lautaro Martinez might be a superstar to some people. But if you look at the team, there are no superstars. 'There's no like PSG, used to have the likes of Messi, Mbappé and Neymar, it's not like that. 'So I just feel they're big game players, as I said. They've won the Scudetto, they're players who played in big events, and big matches. So I think from an experience point of view, experience could be a massive factor in this game on Saturday.' ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MARCH 05: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg match between Feyenoord and FC Internazionale Milano at De Kuip on March 05, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by) For the first time in their history, the Nerazzurri are going to play a European Cup or Champions League final in their third kit, which they have only used twice throughout their European campaign, winning on both occasions. PSG have confirmed their 22-player squad for Saturday's final, which also includes former Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
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Why Simone Inzaghi Is Destined For An Adventure In Saudi Arabia
Why Simone Inzaghi Is Destined For An Adventure In Saudi Arabia As Inter Milan prepares for their Champions League final against PSG, speculation around manager Simone Inzaghi and a future in Saudi Arabia, is rife. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Al-Hilal's pursuit of the Italian tactician has intensified. With a staggering €50 million three-year contract reportedly on the table. Advertisement Inzaghi is currently making €6.5 million net per year. If accepted, it makes him the highest-paid coach globally. Only Pep Guardiola's estimated €23 million annually at Manchester City come close. Simone Inzaghi To Saudi Arabia: The Golden Handcuffs of Riyadh MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, stands in front of a FC Internazionale badge prior to the Coppa Italia Quarter Final match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 25, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by) The Saudi proposition represents more than just financial temptation. Al-Hilal is offering Inzaghi something rarely available in European football. Namely, complete autonomy over a €350+ million annual budget, significantly outstripping Inter's constrained €200 million spending power under Oaktree's strict financial parameters. A Carte blanche over budgets, transfers, and tactical decisions would transform him from employee to football commander in chief. Advertisement In an era where even elite European clubs impose boardroom restrictions, this level of control is intoxicating. Especially considering Al-Hilal's infrastructure investment exceeds most Serie A clubs' entire annual revenues. The Cautionary Tales Yet the Saudi Pro League's recent history serves as a double-edged sword. Despite the league's reported $2.3 billion investment in player acquisitions since 2023, high-profile imports have faced mixed results. Neymar's Al-Hilal tenure began with fanfare but quickly soured as performances failed to match expectations, leading to brutal media criticism and fan backlash. Advertisement Similarly, Jorge Jesus's dismissal following Al-Hilal's Asian Champions League exit highlighted the unforgiving nature of Saudi football's growing ambitions notably, European coaches in the Saudi Pro League have a 34% success rate in completing their initial contracts, according to industry sources (confidential agent survey, 2024). The league's youth and rapid development create both opportunity and volatility. While the financial backing is unprecedented, the reputational risks are equally significant in a market still finding its footballing identity. Simone Inzaghi To Saudi Arabia – A Continuation Of Italy's Gulf Pivot? Inter Milan's Italian coach Simone Inzaghi holds the trophy during the ceremony for the Italian Champions following the Italian Serie A football match between Inter Milan and Lazio in Milan, on May 19, 2024. Inter celebrates his 20th Scudetto. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images) The geopolitical context cannot be ignored. Italy and Saudi Arabia have never enjoyed closer diplomatic and economic ties, with bilateral trade reaching €8.2 billion in 2024 a 23% increase from 2023. Advertisement Italian firms are playing a leading role across renewable energy, space, and tech, all linked to the 500-billion-dollar futuristic city project NEOM. This economic partnership extends to sports diplomacy, with the Saudi Public Investment Fund reportedly earmarking €1.2 billion specifically for acquiring Italian football expertise over the next five years. Should Inzaghi lead Inter to Champions League glory, as many anticipate, his move to Riyadh would symbolize more than personal ambition. It would represent Italian football's strategic pivot toward Gulf petrodollars, potentially opening lucrative pathways for Serie A's broader expansion into the Muslim world's most affluent markets. Advertisement Which targets the region's 450 million football fans with significant purchasing power. The Survivor's Next Challenge EMPOLI, ITALY – OCTOBER 30: Simone Inzaghi manager of FC Internazionale reacts before the Serie A match between Empoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Carlo Castellani on October 30, 2024 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by) Inzaghi has already proven his adaptability under pressure. He navigated Inter's tumultuous Chinese ownership debt crisis of 2023-2024 and successfully transitioned to American ownership under Oaktree Capital. Along the way, he delivered the club's 20th Scudetto. As well as reached two Champions League finals in spite of budget limitations and unfriendly media. This track record suggests a manager comfortable with upheaval and change. The Saudi opportunity represents the ultimate test of his ambition. Advertisement Having conquered Italian football and established himself among Europe's elite coaches, the Al-Hilal project offers something European football cannot. Namely, the chance to build a footballing empire from the ground up, backed by seemingly limitless resources. An Inevitable Move? MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 27: Lautaro Martinez and Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale are pictured talking. Prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. Match on April 27, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by) If Inzaghi lifts the Champions League trophy, he will have achieved everything possible at Inter while facing the reality of Oaktree Capital's 3-5 year exit strategy timeline and increasing UEFA Financial Fair Play scrutiny. Not to mention that he would have brought in north of €133 million just from the Champions League competition. Advertisement Potentially boosting Inter's valuation towards the $2 billion threshold that makes the club attractive for future sale. The Saudi offer provides not just financial attractiveness, but historical significance. The opportunity to become a pioneer in football's inevitable eastern expansion. Especially considering Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup hosting ambitions require proven tactical expertise at the highest level. For a manager who has already proven himself as both tactician and survivor, the allure of becoming an architect of Saudi football's future may prove irresistible. Particularly with Al-Hilal's reported backup targets. The question isn't whether Inzaghi will make the move, but when the stars align for his inevitable Saudi Arabian adventure. By: Andrea Zanon
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
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Pavard: Inter players ‘want revenge' after loss vs Man City
Inter defender Benjamin Pavard insists he 'needed' to learn a new type of football when he joined the Nerazzurri in 2023 and sees desire for 'revenge' in his teammates who already lost the 2023 Champions League Final. Pavard spoke to French newspaper L'Équipe three days before the highly anticipated 2025 Champions League Final between his Inter side and PSG in Munich. Advertisement 'PSG are a great team. They've shown it for years, and I think they are even more consistent now,' the French defender said via Gazzetta. 'They are a solid group with a great coach, one of the best in the world. The team plays well, and it's a joy to watch them, but on Saturday, we won't be watching.' Pavard already won the Champions League at Bayern Munich, beating PSG in the Final in 2020. However, the French defender missed that game due to an injury. The France international missed the recent epic semifinals against Barcelona, but is expected to return to action for the Final on Saturday. 'There are moments when we'll suffer, but I am not worried,' he said. Pavard: Inter players 'want revenge' in Champions League Final MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 16: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates with teammate Benjamin Pavard after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Bayern München at San Siro on April 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by) 'We have experienced players who are accustomed to these situations. Many players want revenge after the final we lost against Manchester City. That loss taught them a lot; they've become even stronger since then. Advertisement 'We can achieve something extraordinary. It's not the time to think about it, but for some, this could be the last big chance. I'm already proud of what we've done together and proud of my career, too. I'm happy to be part of this group.' Pavard was not yet part of the Inter squad when they lost the Champions League Final in 2023, as he joined the Nerazzurri only a few months later. 'We're not a team of stars, but we know how to do everything together. We know how to suffer together. If we need to drop back and defend, we know how to do it,' he continued. Pavard explains Inter's tactics TURIN, ITALY – MAY 11: Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Torino and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on May 11, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by) 'We can press high, but also sit deep. We don't start off adapting, but if we see we can't win the ball high up, we settle into a mid-block. The most important thing is not to concede. Sometimes you have to retreat and suffer to win.' Advertisement Pavard usually plays as a right defender in a three-man backline, but Inzaghi's tactics often make him switch position. 'I have a hybrid role. Sometimes I find myself playing as a right-back, other times as a wing-back. Midfielders might end up playing as centre-backs,' he explained. 'The key aspect is maintaining defensive balance. That's where the coach focuses the most. When I push forward, Barella covers me. Tactics aren't a myth here. Everything is studied down to the smallest details. We know what to do in every phase of play, with a little extra freedom. I needed to learn this type of football.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
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Iran Superstar Increasingly Likely To Join Inter Milan Club World Cup Squad Despite National Team Call-Up
Iran Superstar Increasingly Likely To Join Inter Milan Club World Cup Squad Despite National Team Call-Up Iran star Mehdi Taremi has received a call-up for upcoming World Cup qualifiers but should play for Inter Milan at the Club World Cup instead. According to Iranian journalist Hatam Shiralizadeh via FCInterNews, the 32-year-old will probably skip June's international window. Advertisement With Iran already securing a spot at the 2026 World Cup, there's no need to risk Taremi in 'dead rubber' matches next month. Indeed, they'll take on Qatar and North Korea in games carrying no bearing on qualification. Meanwhile, Simone Inzaghi could make good use of the ex-Porto striker in the summer tournament in North America. Mehdi Taremi to Feature for Inter Milan at FIFA Club World Cup at The Expense of Iran World Cup Qualifiers LECCE, ITALY – JANUARY 26: Mehdi Taremi of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his team's fourh goal goal during the Serie A match between Lecce and FC Internazionale at Stadio Via del Mare on January 26, 2025 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by) It's not been an impressive maiden Serie A season for Mehdi Taremi, who joined Inter as a lethal goalscorer. On the contrary, he has flopped at San Siro, making the Nerazzurri contemplate a summer sale. However, he may still have a chance to redeem himself at the Club World Cup. With Marko Arnautovic and Joaquin Correa set to leave, he'll be the only reliable backup option in attack.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
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Inter Milan Manager Maintaining Feel-Good Factor Ahead Of Champions League Final: 'Proud To Be The Coach Of These Guys'
Inter Milan Manager Maintaining Feel-Good Factor Ahead Of Champions League Final: 'Proud To Be The Coach Of These Guys' Simone Inzaghi remains fully committed to Inter Milan ahead of Saturday's Champions League final amid intense exit talks. During his latest interview with InterTV via FCInterNews, the Scudetto-winning boss admitted he's 'proud' to coach this team. Advertisement It's been a rollercoaster season for the Nerazzurri. Unfortunately, they've gone from a treble quest to the precipice of a first trophyless season under Simone Inzaghi. However, they can avoid that unwanted feat this weekend when they take on Paris Saint-Germain in Munich. European glory is on the line as the 20-time Serie A champions bid to bounce back from a Scudetto defeat. Meanwhile, it could be Inzaghi's last game in charge, with Al-Hilal intensifying their pursuit of the former Lazio boss. Though a switch to Saudi Arabia is a genuine possibility, Inzaghi is unwilling to let it distract him from the goal. Advertisement Indeed, he'll try to bring the famous 'Big Ears' back to San Siro in his second Champions League final in three years. Simone Inzaghi 'Proud' to Coach This Inter Milan Squad MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 22: Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, celebrates after winning the Serie A TIM title during the Serie A TIM match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 22, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by) 'It's been a four-year journey during which the team has achieved great things,' Inzaghi claimed. 'We've won and lost. 'However, we've always given everything on the pitch, and the fans have understood the players' deep sense of belonging to the Inter shirt. 'There are always tough moments in football, but the team has always responded in the best possible way. 'I'm proud to be the coach of these players,' Inzaghi was adamant. Then, he discussed what he and Inter must do to best prepare for the Munich showdown. Advertisement 'They absolutely have to stay calm and prepare well—it'll be a slow build-up,' he added. 'They're experienced players, they've already played in and won finals. 'I'll try to prepare the match as best as I can, and on Saturday, we'll try to deliver a great performance against a top-quality opponent.' Finally, he thanked Inter Milan fans for their unconditional support these four years. 'I can only say thank you for the connection that's developed between us and our supporters. 'It's also thanks to them that we overcame difficult moments, and I'll always be grateful for that. 'We'll try to approach Saturday in the best way possible, knowing we can always count on them.'
