Man City vs Internazionale – Final – Preview & Prediction | 2022-23 UEFA Champions League
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Man City vs Internazionale on and what time does it start? Man City vs Internazionale will take place on Saturday 10th June, 2023 – 20:00 (UK)
Where is Man City vs Internazionale taking place? Man City vs Internazionale will take place at Atatürk Olimpiyat Stadi in Istanbul, Türkiye
Where can I get tickets for Man City vs Internazionale? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Man City vs Internazionale on in the UK? Man City vs Internazionale will be televised live on BT Sport in the UK
Where can I stream Man City vs Internazionale in the UK? BT Sport subscribers can stream Man City vs Internazionale live on the BT Sport Player & app
THE LOWDOWN
MAN CITY
Man City are one victory away from completing a famous treble of winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the same season. Last time that happened was back in 1998-99 when Alex Ferguson’s Man Utd achieved the feat, coming from behind to beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League final with two dramatic stoppage-time goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, leading to Ferguson being awarded a knighthood. Pep Guardiola now has the chance to do the same with Man City after his side secured the 2022-23 Premier League title and backed that up by defeating local rivals Man Utd in the FA Cup final.
It took just 13 seconds for Ilkay Gundogan to give City the lead at Wembley, breaking the record for the fastest goal scored in FA Cup final history. Whilst United pulled themselves level from the penalty spot, Man City came out of the blocks firing in the second half and Gundogan got his second of the game, which ultimately proved to be the winning goal. In the Champions League, the Citizens blew away Real Madrid in the semi-finals, thrashing Los Blancos 4-0 in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium following a 1-1 draw in Madrid.
INTERNAZIONALE
Going into the 2022-23 Champions League, not many people would have seen Internazionale as one of the serious contenders to win the competition. However, the three-time European champions have proved many people wrong, finishing second-place in Group C above Spanish giants Barcelona, before completing a brace of victories over Portuguese opposition in the first two rounds of the knockout stage, beating both Porto and Benfica over two-legs. The semi-finals saw Inter face off against bitter rivals AC Milan in a two-legged ‘Derby della Madonnina’, a tie which they dominated throughout.
Simone Inzaghi’s men raced into a two-goal lead in the first-leg against Milan and never let it slip. Following a 0-2 win in that encounter, the second-leg was expertly managed by Inter, who ultimately sealed their passage to the final with a Lautaro Martinez goal. Consecutive clean sheets across both legs of the semi-final means that Internazionale enter the final having recorded five shut outs in six Champions League knockout stage fixtures this season. Like Man City, the Nerazzurri have already lifted two trophies this campaign, winning both the Supercoppa Italiana and most recently the Coppa Italia, beating Fiorentina by two goals to one in the final.
The contest should have been done and dusted in the first half, striker Serhou Guirassy missing two golden opportunities to score. After being put through on goal, Guirassy could only fire straight at Daniel Heuer-Fernandes in the Hamburg goal, before the Guinean international then had a tame penalty saved by Heuer-Fernandes. Fortunately for the hosts, this did not come back to haunt them. After recomposing themselves at half time, two goals within a few minutes of each other finished the job in the second half, Josha Vagnoman doubling the lead before Guirassy finally got his goal soon afterwards.
THE TEAM NEWS
MAN CITY
The only injury concern regarding Man City is that of defender Kyle Walker, who was forced off against Man Utd late on in the FA Cup final. The 33-year-old has been suffering with a back problem, but is expected to be passed fit for this match and will likely play as part of a back three if so. It would be no surprise if Pep Guardiola opts for the same starting XI that featured at Wembley with John Stones shielding the back three playing alongside midfield enforcer Rodri, whilst Jack Grealish should get the nod ahead of both Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez.
PREDICTED XI (3-2-4-1): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji; Stones, Rodri; Bernardo, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Walker (Fitness)
INTERNAZIONALE
Simone Inzaghi was given a huge boost by the return to training of Henrich Mkhitaryan this week. The Armenian was withdrawn in the first-half of Internazionale’s semi-final second-leg showdown with AC Milan due to a thigh injury that has kept him out of action since then. However, he must stand a strong chance of being named among the starting line-up now that he is back training with his teammates. Should Mkhitaryan not be fit enough to feature from the start, Marcelo Brozovic will continue in central midfield. The other big question mark regarding Inzaghi’s team selection is which striker will start alongside Lautaro Martinez up top, with Edin Dzeko favourite to get the nod over Romelu Lukaku.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Dzeko, Lautaro Martinez
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Correa (Injured), Mkhitaryan (Fitness)
THE PREDICTION
Whilst Internazionale will no doubt prove Man City’s toughest test in terms of breaking down a formidable, well-drilled, disciplined backline, Pep Guardiola’s relentless Man City machine have proven that they can overwhelm any defence over the course of a game, as shown against Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and most recently Man Utd in the FA Cup final. It’s hard to see the outcome being any different here and whilst the goal count isn’t expected to be high, Man City should do enough across the 90 minutes to force victory and complete a historic treble.
TIP: MAN CITY TO WIN
