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Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Exhaustion – Only Real Madrid Played More Matches Than Inter Milan This Season
Exhaustion – Only Real Madrid Played More Matches Than Inter Milan This Season Only Real Madrid have played more matches than Inter Milan have across the season just gone. Today's print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, note the 'total exhaustion' of the campaign for the Nerazzurri. Advertisement Inter Milan were active across absolutely all fronts last season. The Nerazzurri played 38 matches in Serie A, as usual. Then, in the Coppa Italia, Inter reached the semifinals, meaning four matches in total. There were two matches in the Supercoppa Italiana. And then the Champions League added fifteen matches to the fixture list. Inter reached the final of both competitions, though they lost in both cases. Only Real Madrid Have Played More Matches Than Inter Milan This Season MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 16: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates with his team-mate Federico Dimarco after scoring their team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Bayern München at San Siro on April 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by) All of these add up to an eye-watering 59 matches for Inter Milan this season. That is just one short of the sixty that the Nerazzurri could have played had they reached the Coppa Italia final. Advertisement Then, there will be the Club World Cup. Next week's group stage opener against Monterrey will be match number sixty for Inter – and they will hit 62 at minimum. That is the number that Real Madrid have played already. Therefore, Los Blancos are the only club in Europe with more matches played than Inter this season. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain played a total of 58 matches this season. PSG have a European Treble to show for their efforts. On the other hand, Inter and Real Madrid finished the campaign empty-handed, as their constant efforts perhaps hindered their pursuit of trophies.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Inter Milan & Italy Trio Must Recover Mentally From Absolute Devastation Of Serie A, Champions League & FIFA World Cup Qualifier Collapse
Federico Dimarco, Alessandro Bastoni, and Nicolo Barella will have to recover mentally from the devastation of collapses by Inter Milan and Italy. This is the view in today's print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. Advertisement It would be a significant understatement to say that it has been a tough three weeks for Federico Dimarco, Alessandro Bastoni, and Nicolo Barella. First, there was the disappointment of missing out on the Serie A title. Losing out to Napoli was already tough. But the manner in which it happened – losing on the final day after repeatedly failing to take advantage of opportunities to put the title race to bed – stung all the more. Then, the Champions League final was even more devastating for Inter. Losing another final in narrow fashion as they had against Manchester City in 2023 would have been heartbreaking for Inter. But the 5-0 blowout loss to Paris Saint-Germain was something else entirely. Advertisement It is possible that the Italian internationals will have hoped the international break was an opportunity to reset. However, the misery followed them to the Azzurri camp. They lost 3-0 against Norway to get their World Cup qualifying campaign to the worst conceivable start. Dimarco, Bastoni & Barella Must Recover Mentally From Inter & Italy Collapse MUNICH, GERMANY – MAY 31: Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale reacts towards Referee Istvan Kovacs during the UEFA Champions League Final 2025 between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Internazionale Milano at Munich Football Arena on May 31, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by) For Federico Dimarco, Alessandro Bastoni, and Nicolo Barella, it will feel like the rug has been pulled from under them. However, notes the Gazzetta, the trio cannot afford to dwell on these feelings. Dimarco, Bastoni, and Barella are all still key figures for Inter. No matter how the last few weeks have gone. Advertisement Therefore, recovering confidence will be the most important task. Inter need all of Dimarco, Bastoni, and Barella to believe that they are capable of reaching their best levels. Otherwise, things might only continue to get worse, in a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
PSG aims for Club World Cup glory after historic Champions League win
Los Angeles FC players celebrate a goal by Igor Jesus during the second half of a FIFA Club World Cup play-in soccer match against the Club América, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) FILE - Edinson Cavani of Argentina's Boca Juniors strikes the ball during a Copa Sudamericana Group D soccer match against Bolivia's Nacional Potosi at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File( FILE - Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez shoots to score the opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Slovan Bratislava at Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File) FILE - Teammates celebrate with Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10), center, after he scored his side's second goal against Columbus Crew during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File) FILE - PSG's Desire Doue scores his side's second goal past Inter Milan's Federico Dimarco, left, during the Champions League final soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File) FILE - PSG's Desire Doue scores his side's second goal past Inter Milan's Federico Dimarco, left, during the Champions League final soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File) Los Angeles FC players celebrate a goal by Igor Jesus during the second half of a FIFA Club World Cup play-in soccer match against the Club América, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) FILE - Edinson Cavani of Argentina's Boca Juniors strikes the ball during a Copa Sudamericana Group D soccer match against Bolivia's Nacional Potosi at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File( FILE - Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez shoots to score the opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Slovan Bratislava at Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File) FILE - Teammates celebrate with Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10), center, after he scored his side's second goal against Columbus Crew during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File) FILE - PSG's Desire Doue scores his side's second goal past Inter Milan's Federico Dimarco, left, during the Champions League final soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File) Just weeks after winning the Champions League for the first time in its history, Paris Saint-Germain's eyes are now fixed on FIFA's shiny new Club World Cup. The newly-crowned European champion can add the world title to a trophy haul that also included a French league and cup double this season. Advertisement 'We want to finish the season in style with the cherry on the cake,' coach Luis Enrique said. PSG had already qualified for the rebooted Club World Cup in the United States, but its Champions League triumph may still have come as a relief to FIFA. That's because, while the winner of the bumper tournament will officially be crowned the best club soccer team in the world, there are some notable absentees from the 32-team roster. Some big names are missing The Club World Cup will be without the champion of the most popular league in the world — the Premier League — given Liverpool's failure to meet the qualifying criteria. Advertisement The same goes for Barcelona and Napoli -- champions of Spain and Italy, respectively. No place either for current Asian champion Al-Ahli from Saudi Arabia or Pyramids — the African champion from Egypt. FIFA likely breathed a sigh of relief then when PSG and Inter Milan advanced to the final of the Champions League, with both teams having already secured their place at the Club World Cup via ranking points for recent runs in Europe's top club competition. Had either of the losing semifinalists — Barcelona or Arsenal — gone on to lift the trophy, then the flagship new tournament would have been without the reigning champion of Europe as well. The qualifying criteria were based on winners of continental trophies in the four years prior to the tournament, but not including the season directly before it. Advertisement That's why Chelsea — Champions League winner in 2021 — has a seat at the table despite finishing fourth in the Premier League last month. Chelsea is arriving at the Club World Cup with a new team, coach and even owners since it won the Champions League four years ago. The club is one of 12 from Europe, including stellar names like Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Inter and Juventus. South American clubs are Europe's top rivals Some of Latin America's biggest teams are in the tournament — including reigning Copa Libertadores champion Botafogo from Brazil. Three other Brazilian teams have qualified: Palmeiras, Flamengo and Fluminense. Advertisement Argentina's famous rivals River Plate and Boca Juniors will also be there — and are expected to be backed by thousands of fans traveling to the U.S. It is the Latin American contingent that likely will likely present the biggest challenge to the European teams. 'Everyone wants to compete — the question is how you prepare to win, to try to win. That's what challenges me,' said Marcelo Gallardo, River Plate head coach. 'I want to win. I don't want to just go and see what happens.' Will it work? FIFA president Gianni Infantino believes the tournament is what the sport has been waiting for — a world championship for club soccer. Advertisement 'For the first time in history, the 32 best clubs in the world will compete in a tournament to determine finally who is the best club in the world,' he said this week. In its previous format, which involved a mini-tournament of just seven teams instead of 32, it never fully captured global interest. Played in the middle of the season for Europe's top leagues, it had the feel of an exhibition, rather than a serious tournament. European teams dominated the modern era, winning all but one of the last 17 editions. The new format will be a much more exacting examination of the eventual winner — not least because there are so many teams from Europe, but also because there has been a marked drive to improve levels in countries like the U.S. and Saudi Arabia following a slew of star signings such as Lionel Messi, who has transformed Inter Miami. However, it remains unclear how much of an appetite there is among fans for another elite tournament in a calendar that is already saturated. Advertisement Details on ticket sales have not been released, but prices have dropped as the tournament has drawn closer and seats for the opening game between Al Ahly and Inter Miami on Saturday were still available this week. Marriott Bonvoy, a U.S. Soccer Federation partner, has been offering free tickets to some of its elite members for some games. It also remains to be seen what the television viewing figures will be, with the tournament broadcast globally on streaming service DAZN, which has also made 24 matches available with English-language commentary to TNT in the U.S. Eye-catching matches Al Ahly vs. Inter Miami, June 14, Miami Advertisement Five years after its MLS debut, Inter Miami — the team owned by David Beckham — will kick off in the first game of the Club World Cup. Its opponent in the opener is Egypt's Al Ahly — the winner of a record 12 African championships. It's likely to be party time at the Hard Rock Stadium, but the chance of Al Ahly spoiling Miami's big day is very real. PSG vs. Atletico Madrid, June 15, Los Angeles It will be an early test for PSG against Atletico. This is the type of match that could grace the later stages of any Champions League campaign between two of Europe's finest. Chelsea vs. LAFC, June 16, Atlanta Advertisement LAFC got in through the back door via a playoff against Club America of Mexico and its reward is an opening game against two-time Champions League winner Chelsea. Real Madrid vs. Al-Hilal, June 18, Miami The anticipation around this one would have been so much more intense had Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal not released Neymar in January, but it still has other star signings like striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. Madrid has a new coach in Xabi Alonso, who can get off to a flying start by winning the world title. PSG vs. Botafogo, June 19, Los Angeles Champions League winner against the reigning Copa Libertadores champion. This is the type of match that would have been the final in the tournament's previous guise — the best of Europe vs. the best of Latin America. Advertisement Bayern Munich vs. Boca Juniors, June 20, Miami Two soccer giants from different continents clash at the Hard Rock Stadium. This is what this tournament is all about. Expect an electric atmosphere with Boca's fans likely to massively outnumber those cheering on German champion Bayern. Inter Milan vs. River Plate, June 25, Seattle Another clash of continental titans. Champions League runner-up Inter takes on Argentine giant River Plate. Juventus vs. Manchester City, June 26, Orlando City may have relinquished its Premier League title and ended the season empty-handed for the first time eight years, but there's still chance for Pep Guardiola to salvage the campaign with the world title. ___ James Robson is at ___ AP soccer:
New York Times
02-06-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Inter, the weight of expectation and what happens next
Fifty-nine games later. Fifty-nine games and nothing to show for it. Fifty-nine games and at least another three to play at the Club World Cup without considering international duty. No holiday. No getting away from it. Football, football, football. Endless football. The bodies of Inter's players must throb and ache. The miles on the clock ticking into the red. Father Time taps his watch on some of the veterans: Yann Sommer, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Francesco Acerbi and Matteo Darmian. Physiotherapy helps, injuries heal, the physical pain goes away. As for the mental anguish — the replays of regret playing in their heads… In time, they might fade and be taken off repeat. But the cost of chasing a dream is sometimes a recurring nightmare. Advertisement Some Inter players collapsed to the ground after Saturday's 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final. Others sunk to their haunches. Federico Dimarco, a lifelong Inter fan who joined the club aged six, watched from the bench without really seeing anything. Simone Inzaghi had hooked him on 54 minutes after PSG's forwards provoked his discombobulation. It was an indignity. It was charitable, too. He should never have come out for the second half. At 4-0 down, the PSG ultras, bathed in the pink fluorescence of their flares, serenaded every touch of their team with an 'Ole'. On the eve of the game, Inzaghi said he wanted his team to have the ball. They couldn't let PSG have it. But on the pitch, they couldn't take it off them. It was humbling and humiliating. When Senny Mayulu made it five and added his name to Doue's on the list of youngest players ever to score in a Champions League final, PSG made this elderly Inter side look their age in a way no one else had managed this season. A record-breaking winning margin was, on the one hand, of great credit to PSG. Their opponents had conceded only once in the league phase and spent just 16 minutes trailing in the Champions League all season, keeping clean sheets against Man City and Arsenal, and only falling behind late to Leverkusen and Barcelona — a team with similar energetic, youthful traits as PSG — in the second leg of the semi-final. As good as PSG were at the Allianz, Inter's performance was also, by their standards, an aberration. A team that produced an epic last month against Barca, served up an unexpected epic fail. Two years after defying expectations in Istanbul — pushing Manchester City hard in a final many had predicted would be the most one-sided in history — Inter, gallingly, in the end found themselves on the wrong end of the most one-sided final ever. They were unrecognisable from their usual selves, and not just because of the choice to play in yellow. Advertisement It was a bad night. The day itself started with the news of Ernesto Pellegrini, Inter's former owner in the '80s, passing away. At the ground, the ultras, famous for their grandiose pre-match choreographies, did not prepare one — as many of the leaders have been arrested or placed under investigation after the Curva Nord's infiltration by the 'Ndrangheta, the fearsome Calabrian mafia. PSG's start silenced the Inter fans anyway. It was as if they were stood on the team and the supporters' trachea. They took everyone's breath away, and when Inter's former player Achraf Hakimi gave PSG the lead, his refusal to celebrate was of little consolation. Heroics from Gigio Donnarumma, the childhood Milan fan in the PSG goal, weren't needed. Inter's only shots on target came in the 75th and 84th minutes — precious little from a team that scored 114 goals this season, putting four past Bayern and seven past Barcelona. The German word for what Inter's rivals felt was schadenfreude. In the PSG end, a flag from Napoli's ultras twirled in support of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Fabian Ruiz. It was also a reminder of what happened a week ago, when Inter relinquished their Serie A title to them on the final day of the season in Italy. The disappointment lingered in the days leading up to the Champions League final. It added even more pressure on the players to deliver. They kept trying to put a brave face on, however, reporters kept bringing up the past. Make no mistake, this Inter team has been greatly successful. They have won everything domestically under Inzaghi and secured a 20th Scudetto and a second star last year, clinching both in the derby against Milan. But it is also a team that has lost a lot: a Europa League final, two Champions League finals in three years, two Scudetti in four seasons, both of which went down to the final game, and a Super Cup in January from a 2-0 lead. Unless you support one of Inter's nemeses, it's hard not to feel a twinge of compassion and empathy for the human beings in Inter shirts who have regularly gone the distance, only to fall just short. During the trophy lift in Munich, Inter's players looked through hot tears, as someone other than them danced up and down, and enjoyed the greatest moment of their careers. Not this. Not again. Will we ever be back here again? Advertisement You have to go back to the 1960s to find the last time Inter made as many Champions League finals in one decade. Hakan Calhanoglu thought of this final as a second chance after losing one in Istanbul. Inter were grateful for it. They had more than earned it. But when is a second chance also a last chance for a team with so many players in their late twenties and thirties? Only the Inter players know how much that weighed on their minds going into this game. Perhaps it contributed to their leggy and inhibited appearance on the night. Perhaps it overwhelmed them and cancelled out whatever benefit the experience of two years ago might have had in preparing for another final. Perhaps Inter felt they had everything to lose, that time wasn't on their side — whereas PSG could attack the game knowing this team still has its best years ahead of it. Fifty-nine games and zeru tituli. This is a phrase that has been thrown back at Inter in the last 48 hours. It was coined by Jose Mourinho in his unprecedented treble-winning season with Inter in 2010, when he taunted their rivals about finishing without a trophy. After the game, Inzaghi remained proud of his players, as well he should be. While much of the commentary has been about how bad Inter were on the night, they are not a bad team. Bad teams do not repeatedly reach finals — especially if they run the gauntlet Inter ran to get to Munich. As for their record in big games? You have to play several of them in order to reach the biggest of them all. Ask yourself: were the Bayern and Barca ones not big enough? The question is: now what? Inter's owners, Oaktree, wanted Beppe Marotta to rejuvenate the squad this summer regardless of the outcome against PSG, and that process is already underway. Marseille's Luis Henrique (a fateful name) is set to complete a move to Inter this week. Advertisement The greater uncertainty regards Inzaghi, who will meet the executive team and decide whether or not he wishes to continue. Has he taken this team as far as it can go? Does he want to go out on a 5-0 defeat in a final? What will the rebuild look like? Inzaghi admitted he didn't know whether he would be in charge for the Club World Cup — and while no one wishes to rush him into a decision, time is of the essence. Milan have hired Max Allegri, who Marotta knows and respects from their time together at Juventus. Cesc Fabregas and Roberto De Zerbi are still ensconced at Como and Marseille. Fifty-nine games and the work is only just beginning. Football relentlessly moves on. But how will Inter?
The Irish Sun
31-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Inter Milan ratings: Federico Dimarco like a deer in headlights and Acerbi shows his age as PSG create history
INTER left-back Federico Dimarco had an absolute nightmare against Paris Saint-Germain's lethal young guns in the Champions League final. The Serie A side were butchered 5-0 by the Parisians in Munich, with 19-year-old Advertisement 4 PSG battered Inter Milan 5-0 in Munich 4 Inter's Hakan Calhanoglu was shell-shocked by half-time PSG won the Champions League for first time - and Luis Enrique became the first manager to win the continental treble with two different teams - the other being Barcelona. But there was only one team in it. After a blistering start, Achraf Hakimi opened the scoring in the 11th minute. And while he didn't celebrate against his former side, soon PSG doubled their lead when Doue's back-post strike bobbled in. But after going toe-to-toe with Barca in two of the best-ever UCL semi-finals, Inter had no answers for PSG, who have now scored 152 goals this season. Advertisement READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS With Inter pushing on for a goal, the space PSG had in attack was scary, with Doue punishing them with a composed finish for 3-0, before FOUR. Before 19-year-old sub Senny Mayulu celebrated like he scored a last-minute winner for 5-0. Here SunSport's Katherine Walsh rates and slates the Inter players who left their fans in tears in the Allianz Arena in Munich. Yann Sommer - 4 Shell-shocked by a rampant PSG. Couldn't have really done much about the first two goals. Advertisement Most read in Champions League The 36-year-old Swiss stopper was left standing when Doue's shot took a nick off Dimarco for 2-0. Did well to avoid 3-0 in 30 minutes when he held Ruiz's skiddy effort. Was let down by his back-line in the second half. Benjamin Pavard - 3 First start since being sidelined with an ankle injury last month. Great touches at times but was disjointed with his team-mates when it came to crossing the ball in. Advertisement Was caught out of position when Inter lost the ball, with PSG so lethal on the break. Not physical enough. Francesco Acerbi - 3 Should've grabbed a goal back in the 23rd minute. With Inter relying on set pieces, Acerbi rose free as a bird from 10 yards but his header zoomed over the crossbar. Was booked for dissent in the 70th minute. And fell on his backside when Bradley Barcola skipped past him before denying his side 5-0. Advertisement The 37-year-old kept teenage goalscorer Mayulu, who was on the pitch for two minutes, onside for 5-0. A broken man. Alessandro Bastoni - 4 Told Dimarco off for ball-watching 40 SECONDS before PSG took the lead. Was part of the back three which were all over the place for Kvaratskhelia's fourth. Denzel Dumfries - 5 Had a tough job to do against the world's best left back Nuno Mendes. Advertisement Was completely missing throughout his 90 minutes, but not exactly his fault as Inter struggled to get him on the ball. Federico Dimarco - 2 Lack of concentration cost his team. He was far too deep for PSG's opener and kept assister Doue onside for Hakimi's slick tap-in. The Italian's nightmare start was made worse when he was caught napping for 2-0 before turning his back for Doue's goal, which deflected off him. Every PSG ball went out to his side after that - the left-back was a like a rabbit in headlights against teenager Doue and Dembele. Advertisement Was hauled off in the 54th minute, with Paris fans doing the Poznan. Hakan Calhanoglu - 5 Cut a frustrated figure as his team were utterly dominated in the first 20 minutes. The camera kept panning to his sad face. The midfielder delivered brilliant corners for Acerbi and Thuram's big chances in the first half. But he scuffed a real opportunity with a shocking outhit free-kick just after half-time. Advertisement Nicolo Barella - 5 Barella tried to let the ball run out for a corner at the other end before 2-0 but he had not reckoned on the pace of this PSG side. Touch of an elephant when Dumfries' cross ricocheted back to him inside the box on the brink of half-time. 4 Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi reacts as Nicolo Barella looks on Henrikh Mkhitaryan - 4 Former Manchester United midfielder appeared to have his first touch in the 35th minute - the first half just passed him by. Advertisement Got a vital touch to put PSG off after a great move from the Parisians. He was hauled off instantly after in the 62nd minute. Lautaro Martinez - 4 Totally isolated with Inter unable to string a pass together in the first half. Kept having to come deeper to get the ball, with PSG's defence rarely threatened. Gianluigi Donnarumma made his first stop of the evening in the 75th minute, Advertisement 4 Martinez' touch map in the first half Marcus Thuram - 5 Like Martinez, couldn't get a sniff of the action with PSG so dominant. Had his first touch with a big chance on the brink of half-time when his powerful header skimmed past the post from six yards. Anything on target and Inter were back in business . Thuram booked for being late on Ruiz. Advertisement SUBS Bisseck (for Dimarco, 55 min) - 2 Lasted SEVEN minutes after tweaking his hamstring after coming on. Was in floods of tears when making his way back to the bench. while PSG made hit 3-0. Zalweski (for Pavard, 55 min) - 5 Get tackle to stop a potential PSG break. He was harshly booked for his efforts within minutes of coming on. Matteo Darmian (for Bissek, 62 min) - 5 Was brutally asked to come on with his side being hammered. Advertisement PSG PSG XI: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos , Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha , Fabian Ruiz; Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Doue
