Decisive goals and historic moments: the men with Nerazzurri destiny

How many decisive moments can there be in 14 games? How many times can you rewrite your European journey through a goal, a play, or a moment worth a million emotions? Inter's Champions League campaign has been full of unforgettable and unique instants that will forever remain within the heart of Nerazzurri fans.

It has been a story based on one main thing: Simone Inzaghi's side's extraordinary determination which is a strength that has allowed us to overcome every obstacle leading up to the final in Munich. This spirit is embodied by all our players, who have all become heroes at different points in our European journey. As such, the main man has constantly changed and sprung up at specific moments: the right man at the right time has happened in a range of circumstances throughout our Champions League season.

Let's begin this story with the scorer of our first goal in the Champions League this year. Hakan Calhangolu opened the Nerazzurri's account at San Siro, scoring a great free kick to make it 1-0 against Red Star on the second matchday of the League Phase. The first phase was a truly tight race, particularly our key game at San Siro against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal. It was a tough game against a highly talented and organised side who made it all the way to the semi-finals this year. It was a massively important night and it was indeed Hakan Calhanoglu who made the difference: a perfect penalty, scored just before the end of the first half. It was a win that definitely paved the way for Inter in the league phase. Three points won thanks to Calha's coolness, and as such, he was given the Man of the Match award.

6th November like 6th May: six months after his crucial penalty against Arsenal, Inter were playing another key game in the Champions League, this time in the second leg of the semi-finals against Barcelona. Same situation, same time in the game: in first-half added time, the referee pointed to the spot. Calhanoglu stepped up like normal: he waited, studied Szczesny, a player he had already faced several times in Italy. San Siro was in silence, you could almost hear his heartbeat thumping in time with the 80,000 people in attendance. Calha converted with his right foot, sending the Blaugrana keeper the wrong way, making it 2-0 to Inter. San Siro breathed a sigh of relief and then exploded into joy, that turned into ecstasy by the end of the night.

Nerazzurri fans waited a long time to see Benjamin Pavard's first goal for Inter. The hero in the game against Bayern Munich was indeed the French defender, playing against his former club, just like Sommer. It was a special game for Benjamin, as a former pillar of the Bavarian defence that won everything. It was a match of emotion and utmost concentration for him, knowing our opposition perfectly well. Pavard had two great games against Bayern, especially considering that he had to keep incredibly technical and unpredictable players like Leroy Sané and Serge Gnabry at bay. And yet, as well as his great defensive effort, Benjamin knew exactly what to do to make a difference at the other end of the pitch. At San Siro, in a difficult match, in which the Bavarians got themselves in front, Pavard finally got his first goal for Inter. Three minutes after Lautaro's equaliser, the Frenchman leaped into the air and powered home Calhanoglu's perfectly delivered corner. There was nothing that Urbig could do and Inter took the lead. In the end, it didn't matter that the game ended 2-2: Inter flew into the Champions League semi-finals and Pavard's goal was key. It was his destiny, as if it was decided that his moment would come against Bayern Munich: you cannot forget such a special first goal.

Of all the important players in Inter's European journey this year, there is one who had an undeniable impact throughout the semi-finals against Barcelona. Although he was absent in the quarter-finals against Bayern Munich, Denzel Dumfires recovered just in time for the first leg against the Bluagrana. It was an evening different from others since Dumfries was just coming back from a month and a half break, against top opposition in a very difficult match. And yet, right from the start, Nerazzurri fans realised that Denzel was back: a first drive, and a sprint that split through the Barcelona defence, assisting Thuram's fantastic goal with his heel. It was the beginning of an extraordinary showing from Dumfries who scored an incredible brace with a bicycle kick and a header, both from corners. Denzel was unstoppable in the penalty area and his strength was just too much for the Catalan players. One assist, two goals and UEFA MVP. It was a total performance that was then repeated in the second leg, with Dumfries providing two assists: in the first half, he set up Lautaro's opener, and in the 93rd minute his incredible determination led him to snatching the ball from Gerard Martin and setting up Francesco Acerbi. With two goals and three assists, Dumfries was involved in five of our seven goals against Barcelona: he was another man fulfilling his destiny at the right time, leading Inter to the final in Munich against PSG.