2023-06-10 21:04:00
Rodri became the match winner with his goal in the 68th minute. The final ended more successfully than the final premiere in 2021, where it lost 1-0 to Chelsea.
Crowning of a dream season
ManCity crowned a dream season with the treble. The star ensemble had previously won the title in the FA Cup in addition to the Premier League. Coach Josep Guardiola, who was able to lift the trophy for the third time in the Champions League, also played a major role in this. In 2009 and 2011 he triumphed as coach of FC Barcelona. He was denied success with Bayern Munich. “We have to win the Champions League,” Guardiola said beforehand. Now this chapter is also positively ticked off for him, he is now one of six coaches who has won the CL with more than one team; much to the delight of Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who took over the club in 2008 and shared his excitement in the stands.
After an atmospheric opening ceremony, the English took over the initiative, as expected, had more than 60 percent possession of the ball in the first half and found the first top chance early on. Bernardo Silva finished the pentagon but missed the far post (6′). It was one of the few moments when the Inter defense didn’t look good, otherwise the Italians defended well and kept the favorites at bay with their aggressive style of play. Super striker Erling Haaland was only able to present himself dangerously once in the first 45 minutes, when goalkeeper Andre Onana cleverly closed the short corner and was able to parry the ball (27th).
With De Bruyne the heart was missing
Man City suffered a major setback nine minutes later. Kevin de Bruyne had to leave the field with a thigh injury, so the “Citizens” lacked the heart, as the 31-year-old Belgian is the outstanding provider of assists in the team with 31 assists in 49 competitive games. In the English league he has been number one in this ranking for the past four years.
Two years ago, in the final of the “premier class” once morest Chelsea, the injury-related substitution of the Belgian star, who might also miss his national team next Saturday for the European Championship qualifier once morest Austria in Brussels, was the final turning point in the game following an hour . This time, too, it was anything but conducive to the offensive game of the English champions.
With substitute Phil Foden, ManCity had no chances following the restart. Inter made the game more open than before and also created a first opportunity. Shortly following Romelu Lukaku came on for Edin Dzeko, Lautaro Martinez failed from an acute angle at goalie Ederson (58th). It was a long time before the English got dangerously into the penalty area once more, but then the ball wriggled in the net. A distracted Bernardo Silva pass landed on Rodri, who deliberately shot into the corner.
“Like the Final Monster”
Inter almost hit back immediately. A header from Federico Dimarco saved the crossbar, while Dimarco headed his colleague Lukaku, who unintentionally saved for the English in dire need (71′). Two minutes later, a Lukaku finish was too weak and went straight for Ederson. On the other hand, Foden might have made everything clear, but failed on Onana (77th). In the end, Inter pressed vehemently for the equalizer. Lukaku should have headed in from close range, but Ederson was able to save with his foot (88′). The City goalkeeper was able to excel once more in the last action in a Gosens finish (96th).
Haaland was not a decisive figure this time, having previously scored 52 times in 52 competitive games, but ManCity might still celebrate. And for Inter, a saying by coach Simone Inzaghi came true in advance: “Guardiola’s team is like the final monster in the last level of a video game,” said the Italian. That’s how it was in the end. Inter has had to wait for the next CL triumph and fourth overall since 2010.
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