Mkhitaryan: Inter are ‘confident’ they can return to Champions League final | OneFootball

Henrikh Mkhitaryan admitted he started his season with Inter ‘terribly’ but has since bounced back and is now focused on the ‘dream’ of returning to a Champions League final as Simone Inzaghi’s side are ‘confident’ they can make it again.

Mkhitaryan was part of the Nerazzurri side that missed out on European glory by losing 1-0 to Manchester City in Istanbul, and he insisted Inter ‘believe’ they can repeat such achievement, although there are things to fix this season since they ‘conceded a lot of goals’.

Inter Milan’s Italian coach Simone Inzaghi speaks to Inter Milan’s Armenian midfielder #22 Henrikh Mkhitaryan (L) during the Italian Serie A football match between Inter Milan and Atalanta in Milan, on February 28, 2024. (Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP) (Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI/AFP via Getty Images)

Their path in this season’s revamped Champions League started with a 0-0 draw at Manchester City, the same team they had faced in June 2023 in a hard-fought match that saw Inter left many stunned by going toe to toe against Pep Guardiola’s side.

Mkhitaryan: Everyone thought City would beat Inter by ‘four’ goals in Champions League final

“Everyone thought City would score four goals against us, but we played really well and deserved to draw, and then even win,” Mkhitaryan told Corriere della Sera in an interview.

“Returning there would be a dream, although the road is longer than it was two years ago. But we believe in it: we’re confident we can get there again.”

The former Manchester United midfielder went through a rough patch at the start of the current season, but he’s now feeling in better form and aims to help his team reach ‘the level of last year’, as he admitted Inter dropped points they ‘shouldn’t have’.

“Despite the experience and desire I have, I started terribly. It’s not easy and I didn’t expect it, but I’m finding myself again and I’m doing pretty well. I’m very critical of myself,” the 35-year-old added.

Inter Milan’s Armenian midfielder #22 Henrikh Mkhitaryan fights for the ball with Atletico Madrid’s Argentine defender #16 Nahuel Molina during the UEFA Champions League last 16 first leg football match Inter Milan vs Atletico Madrid at the San Siro stadium in Milan on February 20, 2024. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP) (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)

“The comparison is with last year’s Inter, but we’re doing our best and giving 100%.

“We know we’ve conceded a lot of goals and haven’t taken full advantage of our chances, but we’re working to get to the level of last year. Many teams want to win this league, and we’re among them.

“We’ve dropped points we shouldn’t have lost, otherwise we’d already be at the top. We know it’s a different season and we need to do better. I’m confident.”

Mkhitaryan contributed with one goal and one assist from 12 Serie A games to his side’s start to the season.