Former Inter president Massimo Moratti believes Lautaro Martinez can be the difference maker in the Champions League final against Manchester City.
Simone Inzaghi guided the Nerazzurri to their first Champions League final in over a decade with an impressive 3-0 aggregate win over intercity rivals Milan in the semi-finals. The team will face Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the final in Istanbul on June 10.
Inter are the clear underdogs heading into the Champions League final, but many have highlighted the various ways that Inzaghi’s side could overcome the odds against Manchester City, a team desperate to secure their first title in the competition.
Speaking to TMW, Moratti first reacted to Inter’s Champions League semi-final win over Milan.
“They were two matches that gave light to the whole season. In the future it will be above all these two matches against Milan that will be remembered. Then let’s not talk about the final, let’s pretend nothing happened!
“These two matches have given memory and history to the team this season, very important and beautiful, especially the first 20 minutes of the first leg, which were decisive not only for the goals, but for such a superiority that created a big complex in Milan.”
He suggested that this win is revenge for Inter’s Champions League loss to Milan in 2003.
“Certainly. There was the same thing at stake, it went badly back then, this time it went well, in fact. I would say very well, in the sense that there was no doubt as to who should go to the final.”
The former president commented on what it means for the Nerazzurri to be back in the Champions League final after 13 years.
“It is a great satisfaction, an immense joy to see the fans overjoyed and in any case to be among the top two teams in Europe is a beautiful thing.
“It has a great meaning because this is what football is all about, the Champions League is the most important title in this sport, so to be able to participate in the final makes you very proud.”
Moratti discussed the work of coach Inzaghi this season.
“I have to say that if you look at the league progress you can only be disappointed by the 11 defeats, which I myself, very sincerely, was with Inzaghi.
“But if you then go and see what he did in the cups, it’s miraculous, he’s very good. The team played not only well, but with the right character and flair to reach the final. Super congratulations, I withdraw all that might have been doubts about him.”
He was asked if Lautaro could replicate the work of Diego Milito in the Champions League final.
“In the tradition it would be a beautiful thing and it can fit perfectly, football gives these things. Lautaro has character, class and ability to help Inter win.
“I then consider that one of the most important characters in the team is absolutely Barella because he is the one who has played well all the time.”
He was also asked about the Nerazzurri’s chances of beating Manchester City.
“I don’t know. I know about finals, and I know above all that you have to be unbeatable until the end!
“Inter are fast in the game, this is a totally different game to Real Madrid, so you can’t make comparisons, but the Nerazzurri are amazing, they play deep and quite frankly they can trouble Manchester City a lot, who are still very strong.”
The former Inter president touched on how the team could manage juggling between Serie A, the Coppa Italia final and the Champions League final.
“In 2010 we had the league, Coppa Italia and Champions League. They were all three finals, they were all in the balance and Milito solved them all for us. This time, not that it’s lucky, but we don’t have to think about the league.
“There’s the Coppa Italia final, which is certainly a serious competition, but the difference in value between Inter and Fiorentina is there.
“The individual matches, however, and Inzaghi himself teaches us this, are to be considered in their own right. Let’s hope Inter have the concentration to be able to win that trophy too.”
He spoke about how it felt to see Marco Materazzi and Wesley Sneijder celebrating Inter’s Champions League win over Milan from the stands.
“These gentlemen are Interisti and happy to be Inter because they have gained a lot of satisfaction from it, as well as having given so much to Inter.
“Materazzi for many years, Sneijder for a short time, but he was decisive. It is good that they are still cheering for the team that made them famous.”
Finally, Moratti discussed Jose Mourinho’s work guiding Roma to the Europa League final.
“But he is very good, very good. He is practical, pragmatic. Everyone talks about him like he’s a poster boy who says the right lines, but he’s a serious worker and he’s pragmatic.
“Last night he played a perfect game for Roma and I’m very pleased for him that he consistently gets the satisfaction he deserves in the role he has.”