Legendary former Nerazzurri midfielder Wesley Sneijder believes Inter Milan deserved to win the Champions League last season.
Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, via FCInterNews, the Dutchman also predicted that the Nerazzurri can go on the same kind of run this time around as they prepare for their group stage opener tomorrow.
Last season, Inter’s season ultimately ended in heartbreak.
The Nerazzurri put in a strong performance in the Champions League final against Manchester City. But a solitary goal from City midfielder Rodri plus a slew of late missed chances meant that they could not quite get over the line in Europe’s top club competition.
Now, Inter go again.
Starting tomorrow, the Nerazzurri will be back in action trying to reach the same heights as last campaign. Or maybe do one better.
Sneijder believes that Inter deserved to win in the final against City.
And he certainly doesn’t rule out similar heroics during this season’s Champions League.
Wesley Sneijder: Inter Deserved To Win UCL Last Season, Can Do It Again This Time Around
“This Inter cannot have any limits,” Sneijder said.
“I have no doubts,” he continued. “This is the team that had a giant like Manchester City on the ropes a few months ago, and deserved to win the Champions League.”
“That match must be a source of pride for everyone rather than a regret,” he argued.
Of Inter’s big summer changes, Sneijder said that “I’m not surprised, because the foundations remain strong. And they still have a top coach in Simone Inzaghi.”
Sneijder said of new Inter striker Marcus Thuram that “He’s very talented like his father, but in a different role.”
“And with this Lautaro alongside him, and with a team that plays brilliantly around him, he can only continued to grow.”
As far as Inter hoping to win this season’s Champions League, Sneijder said “Why not?”
“Nobody will ever be happy about facing this team,” he said.
“Especially because on big nights, Inzaghi gets that extra boost,” Sneijder went on.
“One thing has always been clear to me, and it’s the thing that matters most,” the former Inter midfielder said. ‘Nobody thinks that last season’s result it was a coincidence.”
“Not at all, it was the result of everyone’s hard work.”
“Going far in the Champions League is always tricky, because there are so many unpredictable variables,” Sneijder noted.
“But if you reach the final anything can happen.”
“At that point it’s the details that really matter. And also a bit of luck.”
“We saw it in Istanbul, the difference between victory and defeat can be really thin.”
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