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Inter eliminates Barcelona and qualifies for the Champions League final for the second time in the last three editions.

Apoteosis Inter. First Acerbi and then Frattesi dispel the nightmare of a comeback that would have written the history of Barcelona and erased, with a stroke of the sponge, 135 minutes played almost to perfection.

Inter, Inzaghi’s words

The Nerazzurri coach, Simone Inzaghi, spoke to Sky Sport microphones after the match.

Performance
“First of all, congratulations also to Barcelona, a really strong team. It took a super Inter: a praise to these guys, who put on two monstrous performances. I am happy to be their coach, they gave me everything they had. It is right that they enjoy the success in this stadium.”

Team
“I told them that we had made changes that would help us. We had some problems, but with heart we went beyond every obstacle.”

Attitude
“We tried to fight, with our weapons and the qualities we have. After the first leg, we had in mind the game plan, but without sacrifice and help all together you don’t make it. Very good guys, they deserve this final.”

Final
“There has been a lot of talk about Yamal, I saw another extraordinary player who is De Jong. He impressed me at the levels of Yamal: he cleaned up every second ball. I wouldn’t change mine for anyone in the world, but I have seen many strong players besides Yamal.”

Then in the press conference.

Moment
“I am very happy. In addition to Lautaro and Acerbi, I add Frattesi, who did not do the final training yesterday: he gritted his teeth, bandaged himself, he is an example for all these guys. I think of Dumfries, Thuram, in addition to Lautaro. They are all players who have had problems, our captain played after six days and should have been out maybe fifteen. Thuram and Dumfries were missing like bread, they are fundamental. But we gritted our teeth, it was a fantastic evening, to be shared with our fans, the club, the families. We have been home little, we have played a lot, but I also speak on behalf of the players.”

Dream
“My dream was to be a footballer, I managed to do it in Serie A, I played for the national team with my brother: I couldn’t ask for more. Then as a coach I made this great journey, but I have to thank the players, first of Lazio and now of Inter. Tonight we were extraordinary, it was a match of extreme difficulty, against a world-class opponent against two great teams. Many did not predict us, we listened to many, more or less… Tonight we are proud, our fans deserve the final lap and applause. It was right to share this joy with them, but compliments must also be made to Barcelona because they also played two great games.”

Approach
“I can’t say what we have more, but that we put on the field what we have. I think of those who came in, De Vrij who came in during the second extra time and saved everything. He is a player who for me would play in all the teams in Europe, he had to stay out because Acerbi is a great player, but tonight he played 13 plus recovery and was decisive. Like everyone who came in.”

Two finals in three years
“We have grown. I said it yesterday, then I wouldn’t want someone, even someone I know well, to think that mentioning the ranking was to compliment Inzaghi, but my guys. When I arrived we were behind, now we are first or second. It is the path we have taken, these guys have been extraordinary, we must continue: the final will be played against a great team, whether it is Arsenal or PSG. Barcelona and Bayern were probably the best teams in Europe at the time.”

Acerbi
“It was an intuition of Francesco, he was ahead and no one sent him back. But my judgment would have remained the same, because we had an emotional ride.”

Rotations
“I had talked about it before the first leg of the semi-final in Barcelona, that we were coming from a bad week and there was talk of the second lines. I said that if we were at this point it was thanks to everyone. We were here for that, for them, because we have always alternated: the minutes have always been alternated. I can only say that Inter has never chosen the league, the Champions League or the Coppa Italia. It’s Inter, it has to play on all fronts: it’s nonsense that we sit at the table and choose something. We have played every competition to the maximum, then in the Coppa Italia we found those who beat us and we will see how it goes in the league.”

Ability to suffer
“We suffered, but we created many chances. In two games we created many, we suffered but we played a great football. Clearly there is no victory without suffering.”

PSG or Arsenal?
“They are great teams, with great players and great coaches. We faced Arsenal in the league, it was a tough phase because they were all difficult to face. I have no preferences, we will definitely find a great team like Inter.”

SIMONE INZAGHI’S CELEBRATION ( PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI )