Why in-form Inter can reach the Champions League final again

Facing Inter Milan in last season's Champions League final was considered a favourable outcome for Manchester City.

But in giving Pep Guardiola's side more than a fright in their 1-0 defeat, Simone Inzaghi's men established themselves as a team capable of lasting the distance in the competition.

And after dominating Serie A this term, there is no reason why they should not be considered among the favourites to lift the trophy at Wembley on June 1.

Ahead of the first leg of their last-16 tie with Atletico Madrid tonight, we analyse Inter's European credentials.

Guilty by association

The on-pitch and financial dominance of first LaLiga and then the Premier League over other European leagues has done reputational damage to Serie A, with their best sides rarely considered among the most powerful on the continent.

Yet Inter are winning the division so easily this season that they must be considered something of an anomaly.

The runaway leaders are nine points clear of second-place Juventus with a game in hand, scoring the most goals (59) and conceding the fewest (12) in the league.

And as they cruise to the title between now and May, they will be able to increasingly put their eggs in the European basket.

Man City scare

Inzaghi's outfit can take confidence from their performance in Istanbul last June, with City's Treble-winners fortunate to scrape over the line.

Rodri scored from one of the Citizens' very few clear-cut chances, while only Ederson, poor finishing and bad luck prevented Inter from equalising late in the second half.

And with eight of the players who started the match still at the club, there is no reason why that should be a one-off.

The 2022-23 runners-up went unbeaten in this season's group stage, only drawing their last couple of matches against Benfica and Real Sociedad after resting multiple starters.

Varied style

Inter are capable of playing in several different ways, ideal for a knockout stage in which they will face varied opponents.

They do not have to dominate the ball and rank fourth for possession percentage in Serie A this season, with pacey wing-backs Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco ready to turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye.

A genuine front two of Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram is surely the best of its type in world football and another point of difference in an era when defences are used to dealing with lone strikers.

Martinez has scored 23 goals in all competitions this season, while Thuram has netted 12 and laid on 11 assists.

But with technical midfielders Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan pulling the strings, they do also have the capacity to control games on their terms.

Winning DNA

Inter have had a difficult period since last becoming European champions under Jose Mourinho in 2010.

But the Nerazzurri are a club used to competing for the biggest honours — and summer signing Thuram insists they believe they can go all the way in the Champions League.

The forward, 26, said: "We know what Inter did last season.

"It is an objective [to win the Champions League]. We will take to the pitch to win."