An overview of the last time a Serie A club reigned on the continent.
Inter and AC Milan secured an Italian presence in the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League final, with the Nerazzurri and Rossoneri squaring off in one of the semi-final showdowns (the other pairing featured Real Madrid and Manchester City). This moment underscored Italy’s enduring appeal at Europe’s top club competition and sparked conversations about when an Italian squad last lifted Europe’s most coveted prize. The question isn’t merely about a trophy plucked from a shelf; it’s about a legacy that stretches back through Italian football’s most storied eras and continues to influence how Italian clubs train, recruit, and compete on the continent. In short, the continent watches closely whenever Serie A claims a seat at Europe’s grandest stage, and fans eagerly anticipate the moment an Italian team stands atop the continent once more.
When was the last time an Italian team won the UEFA Champions League?
The last Italian team to win the Champions League title was Inter Milan. The victory came in 2010 under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, when Inter defeated Bayern Munich in the final at the Santiago Bernabeu. Diego Milito delivered a memorable brace that sealed the win, and the performance left an imprint on Italian football that echoed through clubs and fans for years to come. The triumph wasn’t just about a single night; it represented a renaissance of Italian club excellence on Europe’s biggest stage and a reminder that Serie A clubs have the capacity to compete at the highest level in knockout football environments.
Since that triumph, Italian teams have reached the final on a couple of occasions, marking continued relevance in Europe’s premier competition. In two finals since 2010, Juventus represented Italy on the sport’s grandest stage. The 2015 final, played against FC Barcelona, ended in a 3-1 defeat for Juventus, while the 2017 final saw Juventus fall to Real Madrid with a 4-1 scoreline. These appearances underscored the consistency with which Italian clubs have remained contenders, even if the ultimate prize has continued to elude them.
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