Inter Milan Champions League Debutant Declares ‘This Is Just The Beginning’ – Names Ex Cagliari & Man United Stars As Inspirations | OneFootball

Thomas Berenbruch says that his Champions League debut for Inter Milan is “just the start” and that Nicolo Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan inspire him.

Berenbruch gave his thoughts to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, via FCInterNews, after coming off the bench in yesterday’s round of sixteen second leg against Feyenoord.

Midfielder Thomas Berenbruch came off the bench for Inter Milan against Feyenoord yesterday.

The 18-year-old replaced Davide Frattesi in midfield in the 84th minute.

It was just a ten-minute runout for Berenbruch. And it came in a match that Inter had already very much wrapped up.

However, the experience was still very much important for the teenager.

Inter Milan’s Under-19 or Primavera team are also currently doing exceptionally well in the UEFA Youth League.

Therefore, appearances like yesterday’s only further bolster the confidence of young players like Berenbruch and his teammate Matteo Cocchi.

Berenbruch: “Inter UCL Debut Just The Start, Barella & Mkhitaryan Inspire Me”

Midfielder Thomas Berenbruch said that playing in the Champions League for the first time was “certainly an indescribable feeling.”

“I remember the first time I came into this stadium,” he said at the San Siro.

ROME, ITALY – AUGUST 25: Flavio Sulejmane of SS Lazio compete for the ball with Thomas Berenbruch of Internazionale during the Primavera 1 match between SS Lazio and Internazionale U 20 at the Formello sport centre on August 25, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

“I was a kid. Six years old, I was in the stands, and I was imagining making my debut in the Champions League.”

“It’s an absurd feeling, really,” said Berenbruch.

As far as his biggest inspirations, Berenbruch said “they’re players who play right here.”

“I wouldn’t know who to choose between Barella and Mkhitaryan,” the 18-year-old continued. “They’re both players who you can take a lot from, every single training session.”

Berenbruch called the two senior Inter midfielders “reference points” for him.

And of his debut, Berenbruch said that “you have to work really hard.”

“Playing ten minutes in the Champions League is an indescribable feeling. But it’s just the beginning.”

“We’re young,” said the teenage midfielder. “We have a long, long road ahead of us.”