Manchester City Vs Inter Milan (2023)
Manchester City have gone through a great deal heartache at the hands of Real Marid in recent Champions League games. In the 2022 Champions League semi-final City famously conceded 2 injury time goals and were knocked out by Carlo Ancelotti’s Los Blancos breaking all City’s fans’ hearts again.
This year City conquered Madrid in the semi-final gaining revenge for previous years. However, just like when City lost to Chelsea in the 2021 Champions League Final, at the start of the Man City Vs Inter Milan Final on June 10th, 2023 in Istanbul, Pep’s players struggled to find any rhythm.
The impressive Simone Inzaghi had his players pressing City high up the pitch and Guardiola’s men could not create any clear-cut chances or enjoy any meaningful possession. In fact it was Milan who looked more dangerous without ever really threatening Ederson.
When Kevin de Bruyne came off on 36 minutes with a hamstring tear he had been playing with, it looked ominous since City just could not get control of the game. Halftime could not come fast enough for Pep Guardiola to speak to his team despite substitute Phil Foden looking sharp and incisive after replacing the Belgian midfield general.
After the break, City looked more lively with Phil Foden providing energy and urgency and it was his skill that provided a deflected cutback on 68 minutes which Rodri calmly placed into the right hand side of the net. It was a pure strike from the Spanish international leaving Milan keeper Andre Onana rooted to the ground. The goal sent the City faithful into delirium as they were starting to really believe it was their night.
City then tried to play a smart game, shutting up shop with possession based football however they did need Ederson to make a point-blank save as the clock wound down. Lady luck was on their side as former Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku had his goal-bound header from the rebound blocked by his own player.
The whistle sounded and City fans went crazy along with all the players, support staff, coaching staff and owners plus all their families. Many players were very emotional on both sides as Inter Milan did not really deserve to lose.
Man City had the one quality chance and Rodri provided a clinical finish giving the club their first Champions League title. Pep Guardiola finally won the trophy that had eluded him so far at the Etihad.
Dramatic and impressive though City’s treble is, Manchester United’s treble including their Champions League Final victory Vs Bayern Munich in 1999 under Sir Alex Ferguson still trumps their neighbours’ accomplishment.