Former Inter striker Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is excited for the Champions League final against Manchester City, discussing the reaction in Germany and how the team can find success in Istanbul.
The Nerazzurri have put together a focused and mature campaign in Europe this season, qualifying for the knock-out stages after finishing second in a group containing Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Viktoria Plzen.
After beating Porto in the Round of 16 and Benfica in the quarter-finals, Inter found themselves matched up against intercity rivals Milan in the semi-finals. Simone Inzaghi’s side showed off their qualities across both legs, booking their spot in the final after a 3-0 aggregate win. They’ll face Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on June 10.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Rummenigge first discussed how the Inter fans celebrated their Champions League success in Munich.
“Well, very well. Apart from the qualification, there was the joy of having succeeded in the derby. Even in my time there was a lot of tension for these matches, now they managed to win deservedly, playing in a nice way, Inter clearly deserved to go through.
“And I felt a particular satisfaction because Inter… are Inter, my team like Bayern. I also sent a message to my friend Beppe Marotta.”
He opened up about the message sent to Nerazzurri CEO Beppe Marotta.
“He in my opinion has been a genius this year, he had to build a team that is now a Champions League finalist with little money, it’s not like he spent a boatload of money or had it available. He is an outstanding general manager, maybe they have realised that in Turin today.
“When I managed Bayern and he managed Juventus, we did a lot of business: he is very serious and intelligent, but he knows how to evaluate the market by virtue of fair play, he is not too clever, in the sense that we know…”
The former striker underlined why he’s excited for the final despite the fact that Inter will face the ever-dominant Manchester City.
“No, I am happy that Pep Guardiola went to the final because he is a friend, he has been trying to win this trophy for 12 years. Clearly City, even after what we saw against Real Madrid, start ahead. But this, I repeat, for me is an advantage in Inter’s favour.”
Rummenigge explained why it’s an advantage for Inter.
“Even when they were in the group stage, nobody thought Inter would qualify. I said itheyt would go through together with Bayern, but I said it out of affection. Everyone was betting on Bayern and Barcelona. But Inzaghi went ahead. The team is not to be underestimated, in all departments they’re stable.
“The defence is concrete, in midfield they run and work, they are all willing to sacrifice. In attack Lautaro is a world title centre forward, Dzeko always fresh and Lukaku improves from game to game. Inter are a team that can hurt even City.”
He was asked how the Nerazzurri should approach the final as underdogs.
“It would be enough to repeat the two games against Milan. That would be the good tactic. Inter were there, they closed well. Even though City have a formidable attack with Haaland, Grealish, Foden and all the others, Inter can take away the pleasure of playing football, that would be the right strategy.
“Because Pep’s teams follow him, he’s a coach who likes beautiful football, if you take that away from him, you can also succeed in the feat.”
The former striker touched on how Guardiola could prepare for the match.
“It seems to me that he has changed this year, in terms of surprises. With Haaland he had a stable point as a centre forward that he didn’t have before.
“He has a strong player in the area, it’s no coincidence that he has a record of goals in the Premier League, however, it was also seen with Real Madrid, they controlled him quite well.”
Rummenigge remembered how Guardiola was during his time at Bayern Munich.
“Every Friday I watched from the pitch the final preparations for our league game on Saturday. He is a phenomenon when it comes to all the details, to prepare every kind of match. The man is just as good, we have become friends, when he comes over from Munich, we go out to dinner even with the wives, but we talk for three hours just about football, because he loves football.
“He is not at City because he earns a huge amount of money, but precisely because he loves football. We only talk in Italian, he always speaks well of Italy, because of his experience in your country.”
He reflected on Inter’s journey in the Champions League this season.
“After the first match of the round I thought it would be very complicated for Inter to qualify. But the turning point was the Barcelona game. They got unblocked, they played very well. From there on they did well, the great season that took them all the way to Istanbul was born.
“In the league they could do better, of course, but today at least it looks like they will be able to qualify for the next Champions League. If they succeed, they will be even more comfortable in the final.”
Finally, Rummenigge was asked if he would be attending the Champions League final and if UEFA executives were allowed to cheer in the stands.
“Yes, I will try to go. It is well known that I played for Inter, the three years I spent in Italy, in Milan, are among the best of my life, so I certainly don’t hide my support.”