UEFA Champions League: Internazionale have 'perfect recipe' to win , says Owen Hargreaves - 'Feels like their time'
ByOli Gent
Updated 17/04/2025 at 10:16 GMT+1
Owen Hargreaves thinks that it is Inter Milan's "time" after the Nerazzurri advanced into the UEFA Champions League semi-finals with a 4-3 aggregate win over Bayern Munich. Simone Inzaghi's side held Vincent Kompany's Bundesliga leaders to a 2-2 draw in the second leg at the San Siro to follow up their surprise last-minute 2-1 victory at the Allianz Arena the week before.
'This feels like their time' - Hargreaves impressed with Inter after knocking out Bayern
Video credit: TNT Sports
TNT Sports expert Owen Hargreaves believes that "this feels like Inter Milan’s time" after Simone Inzaghi’s side progressed into the UEFA Champions League semi-finals at Bayern Munich’s expense.
Harry Kane opened the scoring for Bayern to level the scores on aggregate on 52 minutes, but a three-minute double salvo from Lautaro Martinez and Benjamin Pavard either side of the hour turned the tables back in the Serie A champions’ favour.
Eric Dier notched an equaliser on the night for the visitors with quarter of an hour to play to set up a grandstand finish, but Inter clung on and shut out the Bundesliga league leaders.
They are back in the last four of Europe’s elite competition after a disappointing last 16 exit last term at the hands of Atletico Madrid on penalties, having been defeated finalists against Manchester City in 2023.
Now, Inzaghi has led them to the summit of Serie A, where they sit three points clear of second-placed Napoli, and they face Hansi Flick’s Barcelona in the penultimate stage of the Champions League, after Barca staved off a stirring comeback from Borussia Dortmund.
Speaking on TNT Sports after the game, Hargreaves said it felt like Inter were in "a really good place".
"They’re a really good team," Hargreaves said.
"They’re well managed, they’ve got experience in critical positions in midfield and two at the top of the pitch who are class. Lautaro Martinez is world class. And they barely concede any goals. In a way, it’s a perfect recipe. They had 38% possession today. When they play Barca, they’re going to have all that ball, and they can hit you on the counter. They defend brilliantly, and they hit you on the break. It’s the perfect recipe to win the Champions League.
"Bayern did terrific[ly]. They hung in there and created opportunities, but this Inter team is really hard to score against. Vincent Kompany can be proud of his players, they had a lot of injuries, but it feels like Inter - teams get a run of three or four years where they’re at the best - Man United had it, Chelsea had it, Valencia, Real - this feels like Inter’s time.
"They’re getting better every year, and then you get experience in the knockout phase and you know how to win when you don’t have a lot of the ball. That’s what Champions League football is, you hang in there when it’s hard and you strike when you get the chance. With Inzaghi and Inter and the experience that they have, they’re in a really good place."
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'The look like a group' - Cole says Inter can 'beat anyone' after knocking out Bayern
Video credit: TNT Sports
Fellow TNT Sports pundit Joe Cole heartily agreed, saying that Inter could beat "anyone on their night".
"I think they’re brilliant; I think Inzaghi is brilliant," Cole said.
"But I still fancy PSG. Unfortunately for Arsenal fans, I think PSG will win it this year, but Inter Milan can beat anyone on their night.
"They look together; they look like a group that knows how to win, and they want to fight for each other with good characters around the dressing room."
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