Klinsmann calls Inter ‘strongest team in Champions League’ | OneFootball

Jürgen Klinsmann claims that his former side Inter are ‘worthy’ of being ‘the strongest team in the Champions League’ this season and believes that they will put a run to the final together, and has also given his analysis of the importance of captain Lautaro Martinez.

The 1990 World Cup winner, who spent three years with Inter between 1989 and 1992, gave an in-depth interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport, published on Wednesday.

The former Germany and USA head coach was in San Siro to watch Inter’s 3-1 victory over Empoli in Serie A at the weekend, and has now given his verdict ahead of the Champions League test away against Sparta Prague on Wednesday night.

A victory for the Nerazzurri will put a top eight finish within touching distance, while Sparta are already out of the competition with just four points from their first six matches of this season’s tournament.

“It’s a game that doesn’t have an easy approach,” Klinsmann told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 23: FC Internazionale players pose for a photo on pitch prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Como at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 23, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“There’s obviously a difference in terms of technical level between the two sides, but Sparta have four points and already know that they have no chance of qualification. They will have a weight removed and at the same time, they can set up a very defensive game.

“I expected a match similar to the one against Empoli But I liked Inter a lot on Sunday. They had patience and won with fluidity. The same things will be needed here.”

Klinsmann calls Inter ‘strongest team in Champions League’

Klinsmann is encouraged by the fact that the Nerazzurri have looked competitive in every game they have featured in this season.

“I think they’re having a very interesting season because they want to do well in every competition. They set themselves this goal at the beginning of the year and now they are in the running everywhere. With this way of thinking, it leads you to really focus only on the next game in front of you. It’s not a figure of speech, it’s the secret of all great teams.

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 19: Denzel Dumfries celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Marcus Thuram during the Serie A match against Empoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 19, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Inzaghi has been able to prove that. And it becomes even more noticeable in the Champions League. With his new format, there are now possible calculations: Nobody knows for sure how many points Inter will need to get into the top eight.”

Inter striker Marcus Thuram recently told La Gazzetta dello Sport that he feels there aren’t any teams stronger than Inter in the Champions League this season, which Klinsmann agrees with.

“Inter are worthy of being the strongest team in the Champions League and have everything to believe that they can reach the final,” the German added.