The Nerazzurri surrendered to a goal from Rodri. Dimarco hits the woodwork, while Lukaku wastes from close range. Third career Champions League for Pep
June 10 – Istanbul (Türkiye)
No feat, no night to remember. Manchester City win the first Champions League in their history with a goal from Rodri in the middle of the second half, while Inter recriminate for a missed opportunity from Lautaro to make it 0-0, a crossbar hit by Dimarco and, a few seconds from the end, for a header by Lukaku, which could have extended the match into extra time. Inzaghi’s formation, in their first knockout after 7 finals won in a row, still comes out of Istanbul with their heads held high: against perhaps the strongest formation in the world, the match plan is perfect and cages the opponent for a long time, up to the midfielder’s paw Spanish. He did not score the dreaded Haaland, well controlled by Acerbi, but in the end it was Guardiola who smiled and perfected the treble he had already achieved with Barcelona. Now United are no longer the only Manchester team to have won him over. However, it remains an important season for Inter, with two trophies won, but the second European final they lost of the Zhang era arrives after that of 2019-20 in the Europa League. And at Ataturk the disappointment for the Nerazzurri crowd was great, but while the players were crying, the Curva Nord applauded them and sang for them.
Chess game
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Guardiola fields Aké in place of a not 100% Walker, but the real surprise is the renunciation of the 3-2-4-1 formation which, in the non-possession phase, becomes 4-2-3-1 with Stone right-back (to stop Dimarco ) and Gundogan in the middle together with Rodri. Among the Citizens on the pitch from 1′ there are 6 starters from the final lost in 2021 against Chelsea (Ederson, Stones, Dias, Gundogan, Silva and De Bruyne): the desire for revenge is great. Inzaghi goes with the eleven of the Cup and Dzeko alongside Lautaro: the only variation is Brozovic for Mkhitaryan not at the top. As expected, City’s pressure was fierce right from the kick-off, but Inter responded by standing taller than usual: they didn’t wait for their opponents in their own half, but tried to stop them from building up. The first danger was built by City with a personal action by Bernardo Silva on the right who aimed for Dimarco and shot just wide. Darmian follows De Bruyne and goes out a lot so as not to give him meters: Inzaghi knows that Guardiola’s orchestra must not turn up the volume if they want to avoid trouble and, if Inter withdraw the wingers when there is defense, at the same time he never drops too much, not even when the English build a threesome and return to the classic form, with Stone centering to play the halfback. After halfway through the first half, the Citizens worried Onana twice: first with Haaland, served well by De Bruyne and then with the Belgian himself, but the Nerazzurri goalkeeper was there. Inter struggles to create dangers because they are afraid to reveal themselves and because Calhanoglu feels the pressure to play in front of his people, but on the other hand Inzaghi’s men keep the pitch well, they concede little to the opposing wingers and when the signals the exit due to De Bruyne’s right thigh injury, in the Curva Nord many breathe a sigh of relief. Foden comes on in his place and makes the interpretation of the module even more offensive, but City only concludes once again before the break (outside the mirror) with Akanji. The 0-0 in the middle of the match makes Inter understand that they are not playing against Martians, but against opponents who play with a less free head than on other occasions. All right, Lautaro and Dzeko create little, but Inter is there and fighting.
Rodri decides
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The recovery begins with the same formations and with the same not very high pace. It is an advantage for the Nerazzurri because the quality of City without large spaces is more “caged”. Guardiola harangues the crowd because he understands that an extra push is needed, but when Barella calls the Inter fans together, the roar is impressive. Dzeko goes out before the quarter of an hour and Inzaghi plays the Lukaku card, embraced by the coach before entering and immediately on the pitch with a mean face. The sensational goal ball, after a defensive misunderstanding by the English, immediately hits Lautaro’s feet who, from a decentralized position, instead of serving Big Rom in the center, tries the conclusion, retaliated by Ederson. Guardiola on his knees looks towards the sky and almost thanks. It was the opportunity that woke up City, more present in the opposing half and taking the lead in the 23rd minute: cut by Bernardo Silva, a back cross from the Portuguese for Rodri who made it 1-0. Inter are shaken, but react angrily and on a ball placed in the middle by Dumfries, Dimarco hits the crossbar with his head, before having the tap in involuntarily rejected by Lukaku. In the last quarter of an hour Inzaghi looks for more drive on the wingers and inserts Bellanova for Bastoni (Dimarco scala in defense) and Gosens for Dumfries, but by now City have gathered courage and it takes a save from Onana to stop Foden and keep the the final. The last assault is with Mkhitaryan and D’Ambrosio on the field, but on the side of Gosens, from close range, Lukaku devours the 1-1. Inter tries again, but doesn’t break through because Ederson proves to be a great goalkeeper. Inzaghi’s men come out with their heads held high, but City celebrates.
June 10, 2023 (change June 10, 2023 | 23:26)
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