GökhanInler recalled his European experience with emotion, in particular the 2‑0 victory against Villarreal which allowed him to progress to the next round of the Champions League. The former Swiss midfielder, who is now Udinese's coach, spoke to LaGazzetta dello Sport about that moment as "a sensational result" and about a period in which he felt "very happy" and young. Napoli, with whom he had played, had qualified in a group that contained Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Villarreal, finishing in first position with 11 points, ahead of RobertoMancini's team.
In the 2008-09 match, Inler explained how his goal against Villarreal was decisive. “We couldn't get to the bottom of it,” he said, referring to the tension between himself and coach Mazzarri. "At 0-0 I felt our anxiety and that of Mazzarri; at a certain point I thought he was about to change me, and right at that moment I scored the goal that gave us the lead." The goal was followed by Hamsik's second, but the team was eliminated in the round of 16 against Chelsea, despite winning the first leg 3‑1 at SanPaolo. Inler also recalled his goal at Stamford Bridge, describing it as "a ball that I control from the chest, almost suspended, then I find the corner".
The former player underlined how the Champions League at the time was an experience of great charm and quality, but that the competition formula was much tougher. “If you lost for the first time, you felt like you were out,” he said, comparing it to the current situation, where “the new Champions League gives you more chances to recover”. Inler then reiterated that, although the memories are strong, his priority is Udinese and the next match against Torino, a match that he considers delicate but fundamental.
The memory of that European night remains one of the most significant experiences of his career, and the former midfielder continues to share it with fans and colleagues, highlighting the importance of remembering the past to guide the present. Tomorrow Udinese will face Torino, and Inler remains focused on the present, while allowing himself to be carried away by the nostalgia of that historic victory against Villarreal.