Inter President Steven Zhang admits he’d like to meet city rivals Milan in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Nerazzurri have qualified for the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 12 years, beating Porto 1-0 on aggregate in the Round of 16.
“We want to fight until the end in every competition we play. Playing until the end means bringing more trophies,” Inter President Zhang said after Tuesday’s 0-0 draw at the Estadio do Dragao. Simone Inzaghi’s men had won the first leg in Milan 1-0 thanks to a goal from Romelu Lukaku.
“It’s emotional, after seven years at this club, It means we are going on the right path, on and off the pitch and everyone is putting in the maximum effort.”
Fans of both Milanese sides are discussing whether they’d like to have a derby della Madonnina in the next round and Zhang hopes Inter are paired together with Milan in Friday’s draw.
“Every team in the quarter-finals is strong, but looking at the last seven years, the derby of Milano has been the most passionate, so yes, I’d like to have that,” he admitted.
Inter have won two derbies this season, including the Supercoppa in Riyad this past January.
However, the Nerazzurri were eliminated the last two times they met their city rivals in the Champions League. First in the 2002-03 semi-finals and then in the quarter-finals two years later.
Zhang became the first foreign President to win the Serie A title in 2020-21 when the Nerazzurri lifted the Scudetto trophy with Antonio Conte in charge.