Pep Guardiola’s Man City successfully overcame Inter in the final in Istanbul, writing a new history with the prestigious Champions League title.
Glory goes to the brave. After a long season, Man City and Inter entered the battle for the most prestigious title in European football at Ataturk Stadium, Istanbul (Turkey).
The best of both teams was brought out by the coaches from the beginning, except that Man City had a forced change in the defense when Kyle Walker was not fit enough so Nathan Ake started in the role of left-back centre-back. .
Not much different from the prediction, Man City actively set up an overwhelming ball-playing style as soon as referee Szymon Marciniak (Poland) started the match.
This is the second final that City have entered in three years, as opposed to an Inter coming back in 13 years.
With their way of playing, it can be seen that Pep Guardiola’s teachers and students really want to make up for the 0-1 defeat against Chelsea in the final in Porto in 2021. They want to make history, after having the Premier League and FA Cup. .
But Inter, which is overlooked by many people – Gareth Bale predicts 5-0 for Man City – is not an easy guy to bully. On the way to the final, they beat former continental champions such as Barcelona, Porto, Benfica and Milan.
Simone Inzaghi built a very good position system, with the players moving reasonably to support each other. Inter especially pressed fiercely when there was no ball to control space and shield goalkeeper Andre Onana’s goal from afar.
The two layouts Federico Dimarco and Marcelo Brozovic were the surprise that Inzaghi gave Pep Guardiola. From there, the game was quite balanced when Man City could not deploy the attack in a familiar style.
In the first half, Bernardo Silva’s individual effort along with Erling Haaland’s quick shot up left foot was not enough. Experiencing a difficult half, Man City also suffered a loss when De Bruyne left the field before the break.
Historical moment
At the beginning of the second half, the game did not change much. Man City controlled the ball and created opportunities for the opponent with mistakes in the passing phase.
The mistake of Bernardo Silva and Akanji opened the door for Lautaro Martinez to escape alone. Fortunately for Man City when Ederson closed the corner to block the Argentine player.
In a game without De Bruyne’s delicate passes, Haaland has too little space, Man City needs other individuals to shine.
Something special has come. Akanji stepped up in the middle and made a surprise slot into the Inter penalty area, Bernardo escaped and released back to Rodri to make the correct right foot.
Rodri’s kick was technical enough to send the ball around Darmian and Calhanoglu before going straight into the net.
The warrior who shielded Man City for the whole season shined at the right time.
Two years ago, Rodri could only sit on the bench holding back the home team’s inability to score against Chelsea.
Now, he shows his class and great leadership in the composition of the Manchester team.
Rodri’s goal is history. Man City just needed such a moment, with a little luck from the crossbar and the support of… Romelu Lukaku to bring the prestigious Champions League trophy to the traditional room at the Etihad Stadium.
History for City, the sixth British club to win the Champions League/Cup, complete the treble in a magical season. Pep Guardiola himself overcomes the obsession of winning when there is no Lionel Messi with him.
No player embodies Guardiola’s style of play better than Rodri at the moment. Together, they ascended to the heights of glory in historic Istanbul.
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