Inter President Steven Zhang hails his team of ‘winners’ and is fired up for ‘revenge’ against Milan in the Champions League semi-final, but insists they are ‘not talking to anyone’ about selling the club.
It was a Pazza Inter performance in the end, as after the 2-0 first leg lead in Lisbon and going 3-1 in front at San Siro, they were still pegged back 3-3 deep into stoppages by Benfica.
Nonetheless, the 5-3 aggregate victory with goals from Nicolò Barella, Lautaro Martinez and Joaquin Correa proved more than enough to book an extraordinary semi-final appointment with city rivals Milan.
“It means a lot to all of us because we started when most of our players didn’t have any experience in the Champions League and never won any trophies. But now we are winners who are aiming to fight to the end in this great competition,” Zhang told Sky Sport Italia.
Zhang had said before the quarter-final draw that he wanted to be paired with Milan, but he gets that wish now after pushing past Benfica.
“During my years at Inter the derby has always been one of my favourite games for the excitement, but also of course because we want revenge for our history and for last year.”
The rivals also battled it out to the final day of last season for the Scudetto, with the Rossoneri taking the title away from reigning champions Inter.
Now both of them are in the final four of Europe’s most prestigious competition, yet are also struggling for a place in the top four of Serie A.
“Every single season we are always aiming to go all the way in every competition. Obviously, the Champions League is the most difficult, especially now for the Italian clubs, but we certainly dreamed about it.”
Simone Inzaghi won the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana, reaching the Champions League semi-final, but he is still at risk of the sack if he fails to finish in the top four in Serie A.
“I think from now on every single game in Serie A must be like a final for us. Finishing in the top four is the foundation of the season, all the players know that and we will push to the end for that.
“I ask the fans to trust us, as everyone working at the club will fight to the end, keep dreaming and try to achieve the best possible result.”
There have been consistent reports that Suning are looking to sell Inter after running into financial difficulties, including the need to repay the huge loan from Oaktree finance in May 2024.
“We are not talking to anyone, we are concentrated on moving forward,” Zhang told Amazon Prime Video Italia.