Winning the UEFA Champions League for Inter Milan or Manchester City represents a momentous accomplishment, solidifying their dominance in European football and etching their names in history as champions of the continent.
About the match
The 2023 UEFA Champions League final will be the last match of the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League season, the 68th edition of Europe’s premier club football tournament organized by UEFA. It is set to take place at Istanbul’s Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Turkey on June 10, 2023.
The final will showcase a thrilling encounter between Manchester City, an English club, and Inter Milan, an Italian club.
Manchester City as the heavy favorites
All eyes are on Manchester City as the eagerly awaited Champions League final draws near and they have the chance to win an illustrious treble. City seeks to solidify their dominance on the domestic and European fronts with an outstanding roster that is reinforced by the prolific attacker Erling Haaland. This victory may even increase Haaland’s already excellent chances of taking home the Ballon d’Or.
This is a feat that all time great coach Pep Guardiola, hasn’t been able to hurdle however as he has last won the Champions League Final with Barcelona in 2011. Manchester City will be competing in the final for the second time in the past three years.
The players appear to be just as motivated as ever since earlier this year they faced 115 charges from the Premier league against the club for alleged financial code violations. If guilty, City might lose points or perhaps be kicked out of the top division, thus the potential winning of the treble may be meaningless. Which could affect Pep Guardiola’s campaign with the team because he promised to walk away if the team is found guilty.
Inter Milan as the underdogs
Winning the Champions League final would hold immense significance for Inter Milan, especially considering the potential departure of Romeo Lukaku in the coming months, amid rumors linking him to Chelsea. Lukaku has been a key player for Inter Milan, and his potential departure would make winning the title even more crucial as it could mark the end of an era for the club.
Inter Milan’s path to the final has been marked by their underdog status, overcoming formidable opponents such as Benefica and AC Milan. These victories have showcased the team’s resilience and determination, solidifying their belief that they can overcome any challenge. Winning the final would validate their journey as underdogs and solidify their place among the European football elite.
Michael Ramirez, believes Inter Milan may have some luck on their side, “They have a Croatian player and the last 10 champion league winners have had Croatian players in the squad.”
Key possibilities to look out for an upset
History has shown that Manchester City, led by Pep Guardiola, has struggled against teams employing a 3-5-2 formation, which is the tactical approach used by Inter Milan.
Guardiola’s past encounters against teams with this formation, such as the 2020 Champions League quarterfinal loss to Lyon and the subsequent final defeat to Chelsea, highlight his vulnerabilities when faced with a tactical problem posed by the opposition. Inter Milan could leverage this tactical advantage to exploit Guardiola’s weaknesses and secure a historic victory in the final.
Lautaro Martinez has emerged as a game changer for Inter Milan, consistently showcasing his exceptional skills and influencing matches with his dynamic style of play. His ability to score crucial goals and create scoring opportunities has been instrumental in Inter Milan’s success, making him a key figure in their pursuit of victory in the Champions League final.
Prediction and player of the match
I believe it is destined for history for Manchester City to beat Inter Milan with a score of 3-1, securing the treble.
Kevin De Bruyne’s creative genius will be crucial since he plans City’s attacks and is an excellent passer. Erling Haaland’s ability to score goals will also pose a serious threat up front. During his remarkable first season with City, his commanding presence and precise finishing tormented opposing defenses, which will earn him player of the match honors.
Finally, Pep Guardiola will use City’s well-trained defense, controlled midfield, and tactical adaptability to counter Inter Milan’s attacking threats, keep the game under control, and ultimately secure victory.
They appear to be hungry for Inter from a roster perspective, which is a big reason they dominated Real Madrid in the semi-finals who imposed a greater threat to them in the semi finals.
