The formation allows the 47-year-old to make the most of his four forwards – Martinez, Lukaku, Joaquin Correa and Dzeko. Inzaghi has developed a well-balanced side operating in a 3-5-2 system, bucking modern trends by playing with two strikers. Since lifting the trophy in 2010, they have progressed beyond the group stage just four times – a record in stark contrast to those of Real and 2021 finalists City. His comments underlined Inter’s lack of recent big-game European experience. Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti, who captained the club to glory 13 years ago, said he would prefer to avoid 14-time winners Real in the final as “this competition seems made for them”. Inzaghi’s men have lost almost a third of their league games this term – 11 of 35 – but have benefitted from keeping draws – three – to a minimum. Their current position of third place owes a lot to an ongoing five-match winning run. Inter can use that situation to their advantage.ĭespite their impressive run in Europe, Inter have endured a mixed domestic campaign and sit 17 points adrift of runaway Serie A champions Napoli. Whether they face Real or City in the final, their opponents will be overwhelming favourites and under greater pressure to deliver. He satisfied that target last term before exceeding expectations this season. Inzaghi revealed his remit was to reach the last 16 of the Champions League when he was appointed in the summer of 2021. Ahead of the semi-final, he urged his club-mates to harness the unity which led to his country triumphing in Qatar. The 25-year-old, who is supported by experienced pair Edin Dzeko and Romelu Lukaku, has been prolific over the past four seasons. They have kept a tournament-high eight clean sheets in their 12 matches, including five from six in the knockout stages, with goalkeeper Andre Onana a star performer.Īrgentinian World Cup winner Martinez has scored 20 times in Serie A this term – a tally bettered only by Napoli’s Victor Osimhen. Simone Inzaghi’s combative team emerged from a group containing Bayern Munich and Barcelona. Inter’s progression to the showpiece match at the Ataturk Stadium owes a lot to a stingy defence. Here, the PA news agency picks out some of the strengths and weaknesses of the Serie A side. The Nerazzurri, who will face either Real Madrid or Manchester City in Istanbul on June 10, were the last Italian club to win the competition, beating Bayern Munich 2-0 under Jose Mourinho in the 2010 final. Inter Milan reached the Champions League final by defeating city rivals AC Milan 3-0 on aggregate. He showed brilliant vision to shoot from just inside the Scotland half, with the goal measured at 49.7 yards, making it the furthest distance from which a goal has been scored at the European Championship since such data was first recorded in 1980. Schick came to international prominence thanks to his sensational long-range strike for the Czech Republic against Scotland, which was voted Euro 2020's goal of the tournament. Added to Patrik's exceptional sporting qualities as a full-fledged striker are the skills of a leader." Rolfes said: "There are only a few centre forwards of his stature internationally. Voller is vacating his position as former Leverkusen midfielder Simon Rolfes steps up to inherit the role. "For me, Patrik Schick is currently one of the world's best centre forwards. I'm looking forward to seeing him in the Werkself shirt in the years to come." Leverkusen's departing sporting director Rudi Voller left a parting gift by playing a significant part in the negotiations, with the 1990 World Cup winner saying: "Renewing with such a player is an expression of our ambitions and a clear sign that things will continue at the top level at Bayer Leverkusen even after my departure. "A lot is possible here, which is exactly why I extended my contract at Bayer 04." "It's a lot of fun with these guys. Qualifying for the Champions League is a good next step. "I just feel good here," said 26-year-old Schick. He was prepared to forgo the possibility of such a switch as he extended a previous contract that ran to 2025 with the new deal that takes him through to the end of the 2026-27 season. Only Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski scored more in the German top flight, and Schick had been linked with a host of clubs, including Premier League outfits Arsenal and Newcastle United. He carried that form into the 2021-22 Bundesliga campaign, tallying 24 goals in 27 league games as Leverkusen finished third to earn a Champions League place. Schick was joint-top goalscorer alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at last year's delayed Euro 2020 tournament, hitting five goals. Bayer Leverkusen have secured the future of their coveted striker Patrik Schick by signing up the prolific Czech for the next five years.
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