Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has recounted the clash between Inter Milan and AC Milan in the Champions League semi-finals, a clash which seems to be the most memorable of his career to date.
The Manchester United number one has been speaking to Le Média Carré, [relayed by Inter News 24](https://www.internews24.com/onana-parole-inter-handanovic-maignan-derby/), in which he remembered the final while playing for Inter.
The goalkeeper spent a year playing for the Italian giants after arriving from Ajax on a free transfer in July 2022.
He initially joined the club as number two behind Samir Handanovic but eventually wrestled that position from his arrival, convincing Simone Inzaghi of his ability and the need for change.
He went on to make 41 appearances for Inter that season, conceding just 36 goals and keeping 19 clean sheets in total as they made it to the Champions League final.
Onana was the number one throughout that run, which meant playing in both clashes against fierce city rivals AC Milan in the semi-finals of the competition.
Aside from that rivalry, the clash had extra importance for the goalkeeper as it saw him coming up against his friend Mike Maignan, who was in goal for AC Milan.
That created a tense situation that Onana now looks back on, with the Manchester United goalkeeper admitting they were all aware of the significance of the tie.
“In Milan they wanted to see who was the king. From there I started playing in the Champions League. I played in the Super Cup, and we won 3-0, in the league, in the return leg, we won 1-0. Two derbies, two victories and above all two clean sheets,” he said.
“Then came the Champions League semi-final, the city was paralyzed, the atmosphere was crazy. We had more pressure because Milan went through in the 2003 Champions League semi-final. Mike and I were in the tunnel, but no one was smiling because the stakes were so high».
“I went over and whispered in his ear: “Let’s talk after the match”. It was a match that decided the fate of an entire city. It was a fantastic match, we put in an exceptional performance, 2-0.
“There was talk of a possible comeback (by Milan in the return leg) but we said ‘no, no, no’. For me it was one of the most complicated games because, after winning the first leg, everyone expected Inter to advance, but what would happen if they didn’t?
“The fans kept telling us: “We don’t care about the final, it’s important, but the most important thing is to eliminate Milan”. The one with Maignan was the most beautiful rivalry for me.”