Match Preview: Manchester City vs Inter (Champions League Final)

Manchester City are just 90 minutes away from becoming Champions of Europe, as they face Inter Milan in this season’s UEFA Champions League Final.

The final piece of the prospected treble awaits, as Manchester City travel to Istanbul with the hopes of taking home the glory, with Inter Milan the only obstacle between the Blues and the trophy.

It’s been a stellar week for City, as they arrive in the final off the back of an historic Manchester derby victory over United, in a win which secured the FA Cup trophy, completing 2/3 of the ongoing treble quest this season.

City will be astutely aware of their wrongdoings in the Final two years ago, as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at the last hurdle. However, Inter Milan will make it no easy task, as the Italian giants arrive in spectacular form.

Inter have 11 wins in their last 12, only suffering defeat to the eventual champions of Serie A Napoli, while City’s end of season form almost mirrors this, as both sides have more than earned the right to play in this season’s final.

Finals are typically cagey affairs, with last weekend’s FA Cup final no different to this notion. City will have to combat Inter Milan’s resolute structure as well as occasional nerves if they are to become successful on Saturday.

The Italian side boast a more successful stint in Europe, with Inter holding three trophies to their name, while City bid to lift their first on Saturday following a decade of heartache in the competition.

Both sides have an array of options at their disposal, with certain players inevitably facing the misfortune of missing out on the day.

Former City star Edin Dzeko is one of these players, who has stiff competition from Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez up top for Inter Milan. While there’s no love lost between City and Dzeko, there will be no room for sentiment in Istanbul.

Both sides have already secured their status in next season’s competition through domestic success, as City retained the Premier League title with three games to spare, while Inter finished inside the top 4, finishing 3^rd behind Lazio and Napoli.

It was a Milan derby which preceded the Final, as Inter comfortably fought off local rivals AC Milan in the semi-final of the competition, while City swept aside European powerhouse Real Madrid, with an aggregate score of 5-1.

City do arrive as favourites, although manager Pep Guardiola was quick to snuff out that statement as nonsense, claiming there are no favourites in finals.

Meanwhile, Inter manager Simone Inzaghi has lumped heaps of praise on City through the week, recognising the competition he faces.

The Italian coach said: “We’re meeting the best (team) in the world. We’re taking on a great team, a great squad, a great coach.’

A lack of Rodri in midfield left fans bemused in the 2021 final, but whether Guardiola opts for another confusing team selection or sticks to a more predictable selection, the players will surely give it everything to bring home the coveted trophy.

It’s the final game of City’s season and it’s the big one, as Manchester City take on Inter Milan for the chance to secure a treble and finally engrave their name on the ever-elusive Champions League trophy.

When?

The Final will be played on Saturday 10^th June, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 BST.

Where?

The match will be played in Istanbul, Turkey at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium.

How to watch?

Viewers in the United Kingdom will be able to watch Saturday’s Champions League Final live on BT Sport 1, with the match freely available on TV and online via BT Sport.

For fans living elsewhere, you can find complete TV listings here.