Match Preview: Manchester City vs. Inter Milan - prediction, team news, lineups
In a bid to replicate Liverpool's famous comeback in Istanbul 18 years ago, Manchester City will face Inter Milan in the final of the 2022-23 Champions League. The two European powerhouses will clash at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, with Manchester City aiming to secure a treble, having already claimed two domestic trophies. On the other hand, Inter Milan's Serie A title challenge was short-lived this season.
Manchester City secured their spot in the final by thrashing holders Real Madrid 5-1 over two legs in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Inter Milan earned local bragging rights by defeating their city rivals AC Milan with a 3-0 aggregate victory in the semi-finals.
Manchester City, under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, have had tremendous success in domestic competitions but have struggled to conquer the Champions League. Guardiola had not taken Manchester City beyond the quarter-finals until the 2020-21 campaign. They fell short in the final against Chelsea that season. However, this time around, they exacted revenge on Real Madrid with a resounding 4-0 victory in the second leg of the semi-finals.
Having already secured the Premier League title and the FA Cup, Manchester City will be eager to end their Champions League drought. Their star players, including Ilkay Gundogan and Erling Haaland, have been in fine form throughout the campaign.
Inter Milan, under manager Simone Inzaghi, have also enjoyed success in the knockout stages of the tournament. They defeated AC Milan in the semi-finals and have been solid defensively, keeping five clean sheets in their six Champions League knockout matches.
Despite a dip in form in the Serie A title race, Inter Milan have won 11 of their last 12 games across all competitions. They boast a strong attacking duo in Lautaro Martinez and Edin Dzeko, and their defense has been resilient.
The match between Manchester City and Inter Milan will mark their first competitive encounter. In previous friendly matches, Inter secured a 3-0 victory in 2010, while Manchester City won 3-0 in a friendly in 2011.
It is expected to be a clash between Manchester City's attacking prowess and Inter Milan's defensive solidity. Manchester City's ability to win the ball high up the field contrasts with Inter Milan's counter-attacking style. However, Manchester City's attacking firepower and desire to achieve European success may give them the edge in this final.
Predicting a scoreline is difficult, but a 2-1 victory for Manchester City seems plausible. Guardiola's side has the potential to join their city rivals Manchester United as treble winners, showcasing their dominance in English and European football.
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