Outspoken Ex Italy Star Backs Inter Milan In Champions League: ‘The Big Teams Are Afraid Of Them’ | OneFootball

Former Italy striker Antonio Cassano feels that “the big teams are afraid of Inter Milan” in the Champions League this season.

Cassano backed the Nerazzurri as a force in Europe this season, speaking on the Viva el Futbol podcast via FCInterNews.

Inter are in the round of sixteen of the Champions League this season.

The Nerazzurri have in fact qualified directly for the knockout rounds of Europe’s top club competition.

Inter avoided a playoff round by finishing fourth in the Champions League “league phase” table.

Only three teams had a stronger “league phase” campaign than the Nerazzurri. These were Liverpool, Barcelona, and Arsenal.

The Nerazzurri were in fact level on points with the Blaugranas and the Gunners, finishing behind them only on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Inter Milan amassed more points than European heavyweights such as Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester City.

Cassano Backs Inter Milan: “Big Teams Afraid Of Them In Champions League”

Inter’s Champions League season has not quite been perfect so far. They lost to Bayer Leverkusen, conceding a last-gasp heartbreaker to fall to a 1-0 defeat.

But that was the only goal Inter have let in all season in the Champions League.

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 29: Stefan de Vrij of FC Internazionale acknowledges the fans at full-time following the team’s victory in the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between FC Internazionale Milano and AS Monaco at Stadio San Siro on January 29, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The Nerazzurri secured a draw against Manchester City, and a victory against Arsenal.

Meanwhile, Inter’s Champions League pedigree has been returning in recent seasons. They’ve been in the knockouts four years running, and in 2023 they reached the final of the competition.

Former Nerazzurri striker Antonio Cassano said that “In my opinion, Inter have done well.”

“It wasn’t to be taken for granted that they’d finish in the top eight.”

“Against Leipzig and Young Boys they didn’t play very well,” the ever-opinionated Cassano argued, however.

He said Inter “are the best team in Italy.”

“It’s always tricky to play against them.”

Cassano admitted that “I still see it as tough for them to go all the way and win the trophy.”

“But I expect Inter to be a tough team to face,” he made clear. “Inter will make all the other big teams afraid of them, and in Italy they’re the strongest team.”