Former Inter striker Jurgen Klinsmann believes Inter have the advantage of being underdogs against Manchester City in the final of the UEFA Champions League. The clubs clash in Istanbul in a fortnight’s time, and Klinsmann is surprised at the Nerazzurri’s presence in the showdown event on June 10.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via FCInterNews), Klinsmann spoke ahead of the final between Pep Guardiola and Simone Inzaghi’s men.
“Honestly, reaching the quarter-finals already seemed like a great thing to me, but who was expecting the final? The great thing is that now anything can happen. City are phenomenal, but with nothing to lose, Inter have almost an advantage.”
He was quizzed if the match is unbalanced.
“No, they’re great talented teams. City performed at the top, Inter had ups and downs but if we compare department to department, I don’t see all this difference. It’s not 80-20%, but 55-45%.”
Klinsmann thinks the Nerazzurri’s identity is strong enough to hand them the cup.
“It’s a match in which identity, belonging, courage are needed: for this I say the Italians, the Barella-Bastoni axis. It is no coincidence that calcio has reached the heights it has in the European cups after the exclusion from the World Cup: it is it was a reaction of pride.”
Klinsmann starred in the Nerazzurri colors for three seasons, scoring 40 goals in 123 appearances for the club. As a UEFA Cup winner with Inter in 1990/91, he will be rooting his former club to lift the continental title for just a fourth time in their history.
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