2023-06-10 07:15:49
Manchester City – Inter Milan, two worlds clash in the final
English and Italians face off on Saturday evening in Istanbul in the Champions League final (9 p.m.). Them that everything or almost opposes.
A giant replica of the Champions League trophy has appeared on the streets of Istanbul.
AFP
Champions League fever takes hold of Istanbul on Saturday (9 p.m.) with a final between two worlds, that of the newly rich Manchester City obsessed with a first title, and that of the reborn Inter Milan, without “fear” in the face of Erling Haaland’s armada.
In the Atatürk Olympic Stadium (72,000 seats), west of the Turkish metropolis, the Italian club arrives as an outsider ready to bite the calves of the English favorite, with polished technique and lightning offensives. “We have to play without fear. We know they will give everything, it’s a complete team, we have to show what we are made of, ”launched Nerazzurro midfielder Hakan Çalhanoglu.
The motivation of the interior player is increased tenfold by the desire to become the first Turk to lift the Cup with big ears. But Manchester City’s appetite is also huge at the idea of engraving their name on the trophy for the first time, two years following an inaugural final loss to Chelsea.
A “dream” or an “obsession”? Both at the same time, replied Pep Guardiola, crowned in 2009 and 2011 with FC Barcelona but held in check since his arrival in 2016 in the north of England, despite the ambition and investment of the Emirati owner.
Martinez vs. Haaland
On the road to Istanbul, the Sky Blues put their full headlights on in the league, passing Arsenal at the finish line, in the FA Cup with a final victory once morest neighbor and rival Manchester United, and a half- breathtaking C1 final once morest Real Madrid (4-0), defending champion left in pieces.
No question, however, for the Citizens to be dazzled by the possible “Treble” (“treble” in English), which the Red Devils succeeded in 1999. “The biggest mistake we can make is to forget it’s a final. People can say what they want, in my mind and in that of the team, there is no favorite in the final, no matter what you have done to reach it”, delayed Ruben Dias.
The Portuguese City defender faces serious clients on Saturday, starting with Lautaro Martinez, brand new world champion, supported by 37-year-old veteran Edin Dzeko or the powerful Romelu Lukaku. The Argentinian “Toro”, less bloody at the end of winter, has planted 11 banderillas in his last 13 appearances, in all competitions. The dynamic is reversed for Erling Haaland, with a small goal scored in his last seven matches.
Guardiola strongly believes in the awakening of the Norwegian “Terminator”, with crazy statistics (52 goals, including 12 in 10 European matches) for his first season in Manchester, at 22 years old.
“If you have any doubts regarding Haaland’s ability to score, you will be the only person,” the Catalan coach replied incisively at a press conference on Friday. “I have no doubt that on Saturday he will be ready to help us win the Champions League.”
war of nerves
Inter have already won it three times, under the management of Helenio Herrera (1964 and 1965) and José Mourinho (2010). “We know it will be a great opportunity to write history,” said current coach Simone Inzaghi. We will do everything we can, we will make the effort together. Together is the key word.”
City’s wealthy superstars up once morest Inter’s solidarity warriors? The equation is more complex than that, and the match might turn into a game of chess, until one of the two camps checkmates the other.
Do not expect “a very open match, it is often the case in the final elsewhere”, said Kevin De Bruyne, serial smuggler of the Citizens. The reward might come from patience, “one shouldn’t get nervous too quickly”.
The team that will be led will also be able to recall the memory of 2005 so as not to lose ground near the Bosphorus. In the same Atatürk Stadium, Liverpool had accomplished the “miracle of Istanbul” by winning on penalties following being trailing 3-0 at half-time by AC Milan.
It was another era, another Milan, and history is yet to be written.
AFP
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