Mbappe double as Real Madrid wave goodbye to Ancelotti, Modric

MUNICH: Inter Milan are determined to avenge their 2023 Champions League final loss, though manager Simone Inzaghi warned on Friday against letting determination become obsession against Paris St. Germain in this year’s final.

While Inter’s domestic campaign ended trophyless, in Europe, Inzaghi and his players are desperate to banish the ghosts of Istanbul and their defeat to Manchester City, but they will not let their resolve turn into fixation ahead of Saturday’s showdown in Munich.

“I have seen determination and not the obsession that shouldn’t be there,” Inzaghi told reporters.

“Instead, there should be the right concentration and determination, and this is what the guys have shown me in these days.

“I asked during the week for concentration and determination, but not obsession, we must be free, free of mind in preparing in the best possible way.”

Inzaghi believes his squad is experienced and successful enough to be able to put those plans in place on Saturday, and put behind them the disappointment of losing their Serie A title to Napoli.

“The psychological side is important, we worked in the best way, leaving aside the disappointment,” Inzaghi said.

“We know how certain matches are prepared, we have world champions, we have European champions.

“We have also gained experience on how to reach the Champions League final, which is a very important match, just like a World Cup final, a European Championship final.”

Inzaghi will go into the biggest game of the season with his whole squad available, confirming that defender Benjamin Pavard is fit having missed the semifinal win over Barcelona and the final four league games.

“The guys are all available and this year, out of 59 matches, in just three games we have had all 23 available,” Inzaghi said.

“It gives a coach great confidence. Having everyone available is better than anyone could ask for, because you know you can count on all the players, players that I am proud to coach.”

Inzaghi was asked what his team needs more than anything else in order to defeat Luis Enrique’s PSG, a side which has won every trophy they have competed for so far this season.

“Aggressiveness, clarity, there could be many more because to play a match like this, to win, to win such an important match, it will take everything,” Inzaghi said.

“It will take everything, along with all the details that we are trying to take care of in the best possible way, knowing that in front of us we have a great team that has deserved the final, like Inter, which has incredible strength and a great coach.”

PARIS: Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said on Friday it was impossible to “tick every box” after repeated criticism of the French Open schedule and the absence of any women’s matches in the primetime night session.

The debate over the lack of women’s ties played in the late slot on Court Philippe Chatrier has rumbled on since the session was first added to the French Open schedule in 2021.

The first six night sessions of this year’s tournament have all involved men’s matches. In fact, no women have played in the evening since Aryna Sabalenka beat Sloane Stephens in the fourth round two years ago.

Second seed Coco Gauff said she believed women’s matches were “worthy” of the occasion, after three-time Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur again took officials to task over the scheduling.

The Tunisian hit out at the same issue last year, and stood by her words this week.

“I hope whoever is making the decision, I don’t think they have daughters, because I don’t think they want to treat their daughters like this,” said Jabeur, who lost in the first round.

Mauresmo, a former world number one who won the Australian Open and Wimbledon, said her stance on the matter had not changed — with the night session still consisting of just one match.

“The message has never been that the girls are not worthy to play at night,” said Mauresmo.

“I’m talking, and we are talking about potential match lengths. Since men’s tennis is played at the best-of-five sets, three sets will be played at a minimum.”

The Australian and US Opens both put on two matches in their night sessions, but start earlier and run the risk of finishing in the early hours of the morning.

“If we have two matches in the night session, it doesn’t work in terms of how late the players are going to finish. That’s my opinion,” said Mauresmo.

“If we start earlier, the stands are going to be empty in most of the first match. So we keep this one match in the evening, it’s not ideal.

“We can’t tick every box because we have many things to take into account when we are doing these choices.”