The future can wait - Inzaghi and Inter blocking out the noise pre-Champions League final

MUNICH - It’s the night before battle. But if Inter are feeling the nerves, they aren’t showing it.

The media were invited to watch an open training session little over 24 hours before Simone Inzaghi's side face Paris Saint-Germain in the 2024/25 Champions League final, and the mood was light.

Warm Bavarian sunlight bathed the Allianz Arena as apparently carefree whoops and cheers of the Inter players echoed around the empty stands and Nerazzurri figures past and present – Giuseppe Marotta, Christian Vieri, Goran Pandev and Beppe Bergomi to name a few – mingled in the stands.

However, once the warm-ups and rondos were out of the way, the game faces went on as the players zoned in for a training match where the likely Inter XI for the final lined up together: Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni, Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro.

That all came after a press conference where Nicolo Barella's cheeky grin repeatedly cracked open as he faced the media alongside Inzaghi and captain Lautaro Martinez.

Are they really so relaxed? Appearances can be deceptive. This is, after all, an Inter team at risk of finishing a Treble-hunting season empty-handed if they get it wrong on Saturday.

It’s a team that self-sabotaged their Scudetto hopes by twice surrendering the lead against Lazio a fortnight ago and has spent this week facing speculation about Inzaghi’s future following big-money interest from Saudi Arabia.

Inzaghi only has one focus

Inzaghi wanted to address the elephant in the room face-on. When the inevitable question about his future came up, he was ready for it.

“On my future, I will say right away that tomorrow there is a Champions League final,” he said. “On Tuesday we will meet and talk calmly, for the good of Inter.”

On Inter’s final-day Scudetto loss to Napoli, Inzaghi insisted the team has “put that disappointment to one side” ahead of the Munich showdown.

Instead, he focused on some very positive news – the novelty of a fully-fit squad. With Benjamin Pavard back fit, the Inter coach will have a full selection to choose from.

That, along with the experience in the bank from the Nerazzurri’s loss to Manchester City in the Champions League final two years ago, put him in an optimistic mood.

“The differences from two years ago are our experience from Istanbul, our preparation, how we got to the final, how we have managed the days leading up and the training,” Inzaghi said.

“We know every match is its own story and we have tried to take care of every detail with the utmost care.

“The other thing is that tomorrow all our players are available. This year in 59 matches, I have only had full availability in three.”

So what will his message be to the players tomorrow?

“Determination and focus, but not obsession. We must have clear heads,” Inzaghi said.

“We know how to prepare for certain matches. We have European champions, South American champions and world champions in our squad. Tomorrow could come down to episodes and we will have to be good to direct them in our favour.”

Lautaro and Barella discuss familiar faces

Skipper Lautaro Martinez has led by example during Inter's European charge, scoring nine goals and making a miraculous recovery from a hamstring injury within a week to play – and score – in the semi-final second leg against Barcelona.

Now back to full fitness, the Argentina star said Inter will need a “perfect game” to better a PSG side featuring a familiar foe in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. “We know his quality in one-on-ones,” Lautaro said of the former Napoli man.

Lautaro was as quick as Inzaghi to drown out the noise about a potential end-of-season exit for the coach, too.

“Reports come out every day, so we are relaxed, he is still here and works every day to improve the group. We’re preparing for this weekend like we always do,” Martinez assured.

There has been some talk in the build-up to this game about whether a Champions League win could propel Lautaro into the running for the Ballon d’Or after his career-best seventh-placed ranking last year.

“I’ve always said that individual honours are secondary for me,” he said.

“I don’t think about prizes, but not because I don’t want to win them. The main objective is to bring Inter back a trophy they haven’t won for 15 years.”

Barella seemed in high spirits from the start as he wore a smile. When pressed on a daunting midfield battle ahead, he admitted PSG are “very strong” in that area, describing it as “their beating heart,” but pointed out the French champions’ strength across the pitch.

He admitted he has been consorting with the enemy by catching up with fellow Euro 2020 winner Gianluigi Donnarumma – although he insisted the final was an out of bounds topic.

“We spoke yesterday and talked about anything but football. We chatted about family, the national team,” Barella said.

“I have a great respect for Gigio. He’s my friend and I respect him like all the PSG players.”