Champions League Final Preview
The most important match of the European club football calendar is here. Manchester City have a date with destiny as they look to become only the second English side to win the treble.
The Citizens face Inter Milan, who have also had an impressive year despite their inconsistencies in the Italian Serie A.
Match Card
UCL FINAL, @ATATURK STADI – ISTANBUL.
REFEREE – Szymon Marciniak
For Manchester City, it’s now or never! The Champions League trophy is seen as the missing piece in their highly successful era under Pep Guardiola.
Given that the Mancunians lost in the final against Chelsea two years ago, the pressure is on Pep Guardiola and his players not to bury the ghosts of Porto, and finally claim a crown their team deserves.
Rúben Dias on The Pressure Of Winning The UCL
“We love the pressure. Since a long time, the pressure has been on, and we love it,” Dias told reporters at a press conference on Friday.
“The pressure in the right measure makes you run faster, jump higher and be more focused.
“In the end, that’s what these games need. You have to embrace it and never forget to be yourself
Meanwhile, Simone Inzaghi understands the risks of playing such a huge final against a team like Manchester City.
The Italians will be looking to win their 4th European cup and their first Champions League since 2010. The 47-year-old understands the threat of City and their star striker Erling Haaland, and is ready to limit the Norwegian and his teammates.
“We know the strength of Manchester City and the strength of Haaland. He will be watched in a special way, like all their players. We have prepared something, it will be all of Inter who will be good to limit City”
Team News
The only major concern for Manchester City has been Kyle Walker. The defender is battling a back injury, but he trained yesterday, and is likely to feature for the Citizens.
Predicted Starting XI
Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji; Stones, Rodri; Silva, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland
Henrikh Mkhitaryan also faces a race gainst time to be fit for the UCL final. Federico Dimarco did not play Inter Milan’s last match of the campaign because of a thigh issue, but he is expected to start against City.
Romelu Lukaku, might have to settle for a bench role, as Dzeko and Martinez are expected to start.
Predicted Starting XI
Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Mkhitaryan, Calhanoglu, Dimarco; Martinez, Dzeko
Stats
It will be the first competitive meeting between Manchester City and Inter Milan.
Erling Haaland has never gone 3 UCL matches without scoring, and he did not score in both legs against Real Madrid
Manchester City are unbeaten in the Champions League this season. W7 D5.
Inter Milan have only lost to Bayern Munich in this’s year’s UCL tournament.
There have been 4 UCL finals contested between English and Italian clubs. Liverpool have represented England on all occasions. W2, L2.
City could become the 23rd side to win the European Cup, and the first new name on the trophy since Chelsea’s 2012 triumph.
Inter’s record in EC/UCL Finals
Inter’s record in European Cup finals is W3 L2:
1963/64: Inter 3-1 Real Madrid
1964/65: Inter 1-0 Benfica
1966/67: Celtic 2-1 Inter
1971/72: Ajax 2-0 Inter
2009/10: Inter 2-0 Bayern
Manchester City’s record in EC/UCL Finals
2020/21: Chelsea 1-0 Manchester City
Prediction
| Manchester City | 3-1 | Inter Milan |
