Ex Man United Veteran Hails ‘Decisive’ Champions League Final For Inter Milan & ‘Goosebumps’ At San Siro

Inter Milan wingback Matteo Darmian feels that playing in the Champions League final was “decisive” for the Nerazzurri’s growth.

The 35-year-old looked back on the Nerazzurri’s experience facing Manchester City at the summit of European football speaking to the club’s social media channel, via FCInterNews.

Inter got all the way to the final of the Champions League in the 2022-23 season.

It was a memorable journey to get there. The Nerazzurri saw off Barcelona in the group stage, before a knockout run that saw them eliminate Porto and Benfica.

Then, in the semifinals, Inter met city rivals AC Milan. The derby tie between the two was a huge occasion, and it was Inter who won convincingly, 3-0 on aggregate.

In the final of the competition, however, it was heartbreak for Inter.

The Nerazzurri played Premier League giants Manchester City more or less even. That was despite the fact that for most, the Cityzens had been heavy favourites going into the match.

However, Inter lost the match 1-0. And it was all the more bittersweet after a slew of good chances to grab an equalizer during the chaotic finale to the match.

Matteo Darmian: “Champions League Final Decisive For Inter”

Inter may not have gotten their hands on the Champions League in 2023.

However, that does not mean that getting to – and playing in – the final was not still an important turning point for the Nerazzurri.

Former Manchester United and Torino defender Darmian started in that final.

And asked as to what the most decisive moment for this Inter team’s growth was, he said “Maybe the Champions League final.”

“Even in spite of losing,” the 35-year-old added.

“It was a loss that gave us more than a win,” Darmian declared.

“There’s a self-awareness that we still carry with us today.”

As far as the best moment at Inter, Darmian said that “Victories are always special.”

“The twentieth league title was incredible,” said the Italian international.

As far as the matches that have left the biggest impression on him at Inter, Darmian named “The derby, and all the finals we’ve played in.”

“These are matches that always prepare themselves for you. They’re always brilliant to play in.”

And of the title victory last season, Darmian said that “Seeing the stadium with all the choreography on the day that we celebrated the Scudetto was hugely emotional.”