Cordoba: ‘Inter believe they can win the Coppa Campioni now’

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 29: Ivan Ramiro Cordoba of FC Internazionale Milano looks on during the UEFA Coppa Campioni group A match between FC Internazionale Milano and SV Werder Bremen at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 29, 2010 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Ivan Cordoba won the Coppa Campioni with Inter in 2010 and believes the time has come for them to do it again tonight against Paris Saint-Germain. ‘They have experience now and are not content just to participate.’

It kicks off in Munich at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT, 21.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

This will be the second Coppa Campioni Final in three years for Simone Inzaghi’s side, hoping to add the fourth edition of the trophy to their cabinet after 1963, 1964 and 2010.

Colombian defender Cordoba was vice-captain of that team under Jose Mourinho and sees parallels with this current squad.

“There were three moments when we realised that we could do it,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“The first was in Kyiv, when our bags were practically packed because the ball just wasn’t going in and we felt cursed, until in the final minutes Diego Milito and Wesley Sneijder scored to get us back on track.

“Another was at Stamford Bridge, when we knocked Chelsea out with a Samuel Eto’o goal, as that was when Mou switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation, convincing Goran Pandev and Eto’o to be wing-backs and if needed full-backs to help out. We never looked back after that.

“The third was the semi-final with Barcelona, as after eliminating such a strong opponent, we got the belief nothing could stop us. It wasn’t arrogance, it was awareness of our own strength.”

Cordoba sees similarities between Inter in 2010 and 2025

Inter also knocked Barcelona out in the semi-final this season following two epic 3-3 draws, eventually decided in extra time at San Siro by Davide Frattesi.

“This time around, compared to Istanbul, Inter have a different belief in themselves. Whereas two years ago they faced Manchester City hoping to do well against a side that on paper was stronger, but without the real belief they could win it. That was a lesson which will serve them well against PSG,” assured Cordoba.

“Inter are more experienced now and are not content just to participate.”

Mourinho was in charge when Inter won that Treble of Scudetto, Coppa Italia and Coppa Campioni, so how did The Special One prepare them for the Final?

“He saw that we were too fired up, so tried everything to calm us down,” revealed the Colombian.

“If we ever did have a moment where we were losing focus, he’d dream something up to create tension, even just by stirring up controversy. He created these situations both inside and outside the team, he was a perfect psychologist.”

Inter face PSG in Munich

Paris Saint-Germain have never won the Coppa Campioni, but have already secured Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France, so are on track for a Treble.

“Their biggest strength now is that they are a real team, more solid and balanced than Barcelona, who were too reliant on individuals. PSG are super in every area, they all know what to do in and out of possession. Luis Enrique also knows Italian football well from his time at Roma.”

What advice does great defender Cordoba have for the Nerazzurri this evening in dealing with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and either Desiré Doué or Bradley Barcola?

“They need help from the midfielders and wing-backs to double up, but the most fundamental thing to remember is that their wingers always receive the ball with their backs to goal. If you stop them turning and gaining speed, then you are halfway there.

“Inter have shown they can score at any moment and set plays could be decisive,” concluded Cordoba.