Simone Inzaghi (coach): “It’s the 57th game of our season. It’s been a very long season, with ups and downs. In difficult times, we improved and we grew. We lost several players to injury, but the whole group did a lot of work, their efforts carried us to Istanbul. I will not change my players for anything in the world, they have given me immense joy over the past two years.
Lautaro Martinez (striker): “This match means a lot to me and the team. We had a very difficult group, with Barça and Bayern, and we deserved our qualification. We also faced big teams afterwards. We deserved to be there. It’s a difficult dream to accomplish, tomorrow (Saturday) is the last step to climb, we must give everything to get our hands on the trophy.
Matteo Darmian (defender): “Clearly, our goal is to win. We know it will be a difficult match but we will go on the field with confidence, with faith in our abilities. We know we can make City life difficult. We will keep our ideas and play with heart.
Hakan Çalhanoglu (midfielder): “We studied our opponents, we will show what we can do tomorrow (Saturday). We have to play without fear. We know they will give everything, it’s a complete team, we have to show what we are made of.
Inzaghi: “The midfield will definitely be one of the keys to the match, but all parts of the pitch will be important. We will have to run, with heart and intelligence too. We have to stay focused, we have to give everything, you have to put your heart into this type of match. We know this will be a great opportunity to write history. We will do everything we can, we will make the effort together. Together is the key word.”
Darmian: “We know the qualities of Manchester City perfectly, we have to make the right choices: sometimes defend low, sometimes press them high at times, we have to find the right balance.”
Inzaghi: “We know which player Haaland is, how strong he is. Of course we will have an eye on him, but also all the other players. It will be up to all of Inter to defend, not just to stop Haaland but the whole Manchester City team. They are good at defending, at attacking, they are very strong.
Martinez, six months after the final won at the World Cup with Argentina: “These are the two finals that every player wants to play. The only thing that changes is the shirt. The emotions are the same, they’re really unique, because you know you got there thanks to the work of the whole team.”
Çalhanoglu: “I am very happy and proud to play this final in my country. I hope to be able to lift this trophy as a Turkish player. I would like to take advantage of tomorrow’s game, this opportunity may never come again. It’s a great pride and a lot of emotions to be here. Last night the only thing I thought about was lifting this trophy here.”
Comments collected at a press conference.
