The Inter Milan third kit will be used in Saturday’s Champions League final, with the Italians ditching tradition by opting for their alternative strip, instead of their away jersey.
Why is the Inter Milan Third Kit Being Used?
Inter Milan and PSG lock horns in Munich on Saturday, as this year’s Champions League campaign reaches a fascinating climax.
Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena will no doubt be adorned with a sea of Inter and PSG colours, which of course are similar on the eye with the former largely royal blue, while the latter are famous for their Nerrazzuri (black and blue).
PSG are, however, designated as the ‘home’ team, and as such are entitled to don their home kit.
With Inter and PSG’s kits too similar to be worn at the same time, Inter could have opted to wear their majority white away jersey.
However, the club have chose to wear their golden-yellow third kit with black shorts — perhaps an omen for a golden Champions League campaign?
The design undoubtedly draws inspiration from Inter’s stunning 1996 third shirt, which features a similar golden hue and geometric black stripes.
See how the Nerrazzuri will step out in Saturday final below.
Inter present their third kit 🇮🇹👕 @Inter pic.twitter.com/kxIbxZQEDn
— 433 (@433) September 12, 2024
Elsewhere, the Parisians will be donning their navy, red and blue home kit, which they have worn throughout the campaign, but have lost several matches whilst wearing.
Have Inter Milan Worn Their Third Kit This Season?
Third kits are typically reserved for matches where neither the home, nor the away kit can resolve a clash in colours. They are also traditionally used during European campaigns, which is true of Inter in this year’s Champions League.
On their journey to a second final in three years, Inter wore this kit in their away game against Sparta Prague on Matchday seven of the initial league phase, as well as in the first leg of the round of 16 against Feyenoord.
Both of those games resulted in victory, which, if superstitions are anything to go by, is a good sign. Taking those superstitions a step further, their most recent UEFA Cup win in 1998 against Lazio also came whilst wearing a third kit. It also happened to take place in Paris of all places.
It is also worth noting that Inter’s solitary defeat in this season’s only setback, a 1-0 defat to Bayer Leverkusen in December, came while wearing white; the colour of their away kit.
Has a Third Kit Ever Been Worn in a Champions League Final?
Not only will it be just the third time the Inter Milan third kit has been used this season, but it will mark the only time the club have used an alternative jersey in seven Champions League final appearances.
Not since Bayern Munich in 1999 has a team worn their third kit in a Champions League final, which was the first and only time since the format change in 1992.
Bayern of course relinquished an unassailable lead in the dying moments of extra-time against Manchester United. Although PSG are slight favourites according to anonymous betting sites, Inter will be hoping to fare better in their third strip.
