Istvan Kovacs has been officially confirmed as the referee for the upcoming Champions League final between Inter and Paris Saint-Germain, an appointment that brings with it a positive sign for the Nerazzurri, considering that every time the Romanian referee has officiated a UEFA final, an Italian team has won the trophy. This fact, although not definitive, has fueled the feeling of hope among Inter fans, who see Kovacs’ return as a favorable omen ahead of the Champions League final that will be played on May 31 at the Allianz Arena.

Kovacs, 40, will be the man with the whistle for the decisive match, having previously appeared in other major UEFA competitions throughout his international career. The Romanian referee will be joined by his assistants Mihai Marica and Ferencz Tunyogi, Portuguese fourth official Joao Pedro Silva Pinhero and the VAR assistants, Catalin Sorin Popa of Romania and Johan Higler of the Netherlands. This experienced quartet of officials will be in charge of the game, aiming to maintain fairness and equity in what promises to be an intense final.

The selection of Kovacs as the referee for the Champions League final has particular significance for Inter fans. In fact, in the two previous UEFA finals in which the Romanian referee has acted as match official, an Italian team has triumphed. The first of these finals was Atalanta’s 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the 2023-24 Europa League final, while the second saw Roma prevail 1-0 against Feyenoord in the inaugural 2021-22 Conference League final. Both successes were celebrated by Italian teams, fuelling the belief that this tradition of victories can continue in the Champions League final.

Furthermore, Kovacs’ recent history with Inter has been positive, as his last match involving the Nerazzurri saw the Milanese club prevail 1-0 against Arsenal in the group stage of this season’s Champions League. This victory has added further confidence among the fans, who see the Romanian referee as a lucky charm, capable of leading Inter to another historic victory.

Kovacs, in addition to being a familiar face in European competitions, has already refereed two games for Paris Saint-Germain this season. The first of those games was a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League group stage, while the second was the second leg of the round of 16 against Liverpool, where PSG prevailed on penalties after a 1-1 draw. These precedents show that Kovacs has had his hands full with PSG before, but his performances with Inter and Italian clubs have many supporters of the Milanese team looking forward to his refereeing the final.

The symbolism that emerges from these circumstances is obvious: the Romanian referee has a long international career and has shown solid experience in UEFA competitions. His presence in the final represents a link with a recent past in which Italian teams have triumphed, and this creates an atmosphere of trust among Inter fans. However, it must be said that referee Kovacs is not only a symbol of good omen, but also a professional who has demonstrated competence and impartiality in his directions.

Expectations for the Champions League final are sky-high, and Inter, who have already reached the final after an extraordinary season, are preparing to face one of the most fearsome teams in Europe: Paris Saint-Germain. The match promises to be one of the most exciting in the recent history of the competition, with both teams having a good chance of taking home the trophy. For Inter, winning the Champions League would be the culmination of an incredible journey, while for PSG it would be the realization of a dream that the Parisian team has been trying to achieve for many years.

On May 31, the Allianz Arena will host a clash between two of Europe’s biggest teams. Referee Kovacs, with his experience and prestige, will be at the centre of a final that promises to be full of drama and twists. Whether it’s the good omen that Inter fans are hoping for, or simply a coincidence, the fact that Kovacs has officiated two Italian victories in previous UEFA finals is something that will certainly fuel the enthusiasm among Nerazzurri supporters. Now, the only thing left to do is to see how the match develops and whether the tradition will live on, as Inter look to write another chapter in Champions League history.