Inside the Istanbul final with Nike Football

It did not go as many of the Italians had hoped but that did not put Inter's progress in doubt. Indeed, Simone Inzaghi's team managed to hold their own against the battleship Manchester City, who finally broke the Nerazzurri's tight defensive chain only in the 68th minute of the second half thanks to a Rodrigo strike. The Nerazzurri's hopes were dashed by a calibrated and precise flat shot, but they did not lose heart, building several chances to equalise but failing to capitalise on them. 

The gap between the two teams was not as wide as predicted and Manchester City put aside their philosophy, playing almost 'Italian style', waiting for the opponent and then trying to strike, exploiting the versatility and technique of their two wings and the cynicism of Haaland, who in the end, however, failed to deliver. Inter, for its part, conducted a more courageous game, playing openly with one of the most feared teams in football, capable of eliminating Real Madrid in the semifinals. Inzaghi's team put everything into it, fought, built from the bottom despite being aware of Guardiola's asphyxiating pressure, only they failed to find the right kick to strike and sink their opponents.

A bitter ending but one that must become a starting point. Inter came out with their heads held high, as witnessed by Barella's words, written in a post on Instagram yesterday: 'I always thought winning equalled glory, instead losing equalled failure. But in these years you have taught me that there is more. [...] There is defeat, bitter, hard to bear but inspiring in its own way to try and do something even greater. That is why the silver medal will be there in front, together with the victories and not hidden in a corner." A concept also repeated not so long ago by Giannis Antetokounmpo, NBA champion and star of the Milwaukee Bucks, who after the bitter elimination in the US championship playoffs answered the questions of some reporters as follows: "it's not a failure, but it's a necessary step to try to win. Why are you asking me this question? You have to understand that in sport there is no logic of failure." A completely wrong way of understanding defeat, also emphasised in the Oregon brand's new campaign, 'You don't lose a game, you prepare for the next victory'.

Beyond the match, however, the experience with Nike went beyond all expectations; in the 24 hours leading up to the match we even had the opportunity to dine with some of the legends of Inter's Triplete era, in a Nerazzurri-style party that ended with a speech by Zhang underlining the club's ambitions. And indeed, the final match played at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium must be a source of pride for the Nike-sponsored team since 1998 that, to paraphrase a song chosen by Manchester City and heard in the stadium at the end of the match, Inter will not look back in anger, as much as possible.