The Andorran club making history with a Pochettino in the team
Inter Club d’Escaldes will become the first Andorran club to play in the league or group phase of a European competition when they begin their Conference League campaign. The milestone fulfils a childhood ambition for defender Maurizio Pochettino and could encourage other clubs in the small country to believe European progress is possible.
Founded in 1991, Inter were relegated in 2015, returned to Andorra’s top division in 2017 and have since won five league titles in seven seasons. They qualified by beating Kosovo’s Drita on penalties after a 2-2 first-leg draw; Pochettino scored in the shootout, with his father Mauricio watching. The article also credits former Andorra international Ildefons Lima’s involvement in the club’s rise and manager Felip Ortiz’s possession-based approach.
- Inter Club d’Escaldes are Andorra’s first side to reach a European league phase.
- Maurizio Pochettino scored in the shootout that secured qualification.
- The club have won five domestic titles in seven seasons.
New here? Start with this
Andorra is a small country in the Pyrenees, between France and Spain, with its own domestic football league. Inter Club d’Escaldes, founded in 1991, have become one of its leading sides, winning five league titles in seven seasons after returning to the top division in 2017.
The club’s progress has involved former Andorra international Ildefons Lima and manager Felip Ortiz, whose team tries to keep possession of the ball. Defender Maurizio Pochettino, son of coach Mauricio Pochettino, has also been part of the squad.
Andorran clubs have competed in European qualifying rounds, but none had reached a league or group phase before. Inter’s place in the Conference League gives the country a new foothold in European club football and may shape what other Andorran teams think they can achieve.