Andre Onana underlined that Inter ‘will go to Istanbul to win’ in their Champions League final against Manchester City, suggesting that ‘history always remembers who won’.
Simone Inzaghi’s side booked their spot in the final of Europe’s premier club competition after securing a 3-0 aggregate win over rivals Milan in the semi-final, whilst their opponents flew to a thrilling 5-1 victory over Real Madrid, setting up an intriguing and important final in Istanbul.
Inter’s last appearance in the Champions League final came in 2010, when they beat Bayern Munich to lift the trophy and secure the first ever Treble in Italian football history. For Manchester City, they lost the final in 2021 and are now hungry to win their own Treble with a victory in Istanbul, having already secured the Premier League title and the FA Cup.
Speaking to gathered reporters via TMW, Onana first discussed the upcoming Champions League final.
“On Saturday we will play an important game against the team that is probably the best in the world, but we are Inter.”
He was asked if he considered himself to be one of the top five goalkeepers in the world.
“I don’t feel I’m in the top five in the world, the truth is I don’t look at these things. Today the final against one of the strongest teams in the world is important for me, but we want to show who we are. It will be difficult for us, but also for them.”
The former Ajax goalkeeper touched on if he expected to be here a year ago.
“Life is like that, you have good and not so good moments and you have to deal with them. It’s like what we went through at the beginning of the year, we started badly and now we are in the Champions League final.
“And finals are not played, they are won. Because history always remembers who won and that’s why we will go to Istanbul to win.”
He commented on his relationship with teammate Samir Handanovic.
“Very good. He is a legend for this club and to train with him is an honour.”
Finally, Onana was asked if Inter’s strength was the unity of their squad.
“Yes, the truth is that it is. We have to suffer together, it won’t be easy, it’s probably the hardest match in five years.”