Manchester City face Inter in a blockbuster Champions League final of the 2022/23 season in Istanbul on Saturday.
MCI vs INT Match Details
Date: Saturday, 10 June 2023 / Sunday, 11 June 2023
Time: 19:45 (BST) / 00:15 (IST)
Venue: Atartuk Stadium, Istanbul
MCI vs INT Match Preview
Manchester City inch ever closer to securing a historical treble for them as the FA Cup win over city rivals Manchester United last weekend was the second trophy in their bag this season. Ilkay Gundogan scored two clinical volleys on either side of a Bruno Fernandes penalty in the 2-1 victory to ensure the silverware after winning the Premier League for the fifth time in six years. One more showpiece final awaits to win the prize that has eluded them since they made the ambition of clinching it. The tournament is the Champions League which they got close to winning in 2021. It will be special if City tastes the success this time. Pep Guardiola’s men have shown some unreal dominance proven by their 4-0 victory in the semi-final second leg outclassing the holders Real Madrid at Etihad. Although Erling Haaland did not go on the scoresheet, Bernardo Silva’s first-half double and one each from Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez later on in the match put them through 5-1 on aggregate. Man City now aims to be the fourth English side to lift the Champions League and the first competition honor for them.
With the narrative more towards the English top-flight winners at the moment, Inter's task is to script their own tale by returning to the European football summit. The Nerazzurri will look to reflect on their three Champions League title victories and prevent the City juggernaut from completing their treble. Simone Inzaghi’s men have secured the last four in Serie A so there is less pressure of winning the competition in order to stay in it for the new season. However, Inter are chasing their royalty and will do everything to earn it. While City has blazed past RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the knockouts, their counterparts have restored to varying results as shown in the pragmatic nervy 1-0 aggregate win over Porto in the last 16 or against Benfica in the quarters that was full of goals in 5-3 overall score. The semi-final was more controlled against their city rivals AC Milan almost cruising to a 3-0 aggregate victory. Inter are also wishing to make a double after triumphing in the Coppa Italia final against Fiorentina as well.
Recent Form (all competitions)
MCI: WLDWW
INT: WWWLW
Recent Form (Champions League)
MCI: WDDWW
INT: WWDWD
MCI vs INT Team News
The only injury concern for Manchester City was Kyle Walker who was given additional rest for his back injury. Nevertheless, the right-back has made it to the squad for the final Istanbul and will be a member of the starting XI. Guardiola is expected to keep his side unchanged from the semi-final second-leg game against Real Madrid which means Ederson will replace Stefan Ortega in the sticks. One more goal for Erling Haaland will see him overtake Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s record of 12 goals in a single Champions League campaign for an English side.
Meanwhile, Inter is hoping Henrikh Mkhitaryan recovers in time from the thigh injury that kept him out from the second leg in the semi-final clash with rivals Milan. Croatian international Marcelo Brozovic is in line to replace him and could have started even if the Armenian was fit. Joaquin Correa can also return having picked up a calf injury in the Coppa Italia final against Fiorentina. While the Argentinian sits on the bench, Inzaghi has to make a decision on the striking partner for Lautaro Martinez between Edin Dzeko and Romelu Lukaku.
MCI vs INT Predicted Lineups
MCI: Ederson; Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji; John Stones, Rodri; Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, De Bruyne, Jack Grealish; Erling Haaland
INT: Andre Onana; Mateo Darmian, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni; Denzel Dumfries, Nicolo Barella, Marcelo Brozovic, Hakan Calhanoglu, Federico Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, Romelu Lukaku
MCI vs INT Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Onana (8)
DEF: Akanji (9), Dias (7), Dimarco (9)
MID: B Silva (8), De Bruyne (9), Gundogan (9), Barella (9)
FW: Lukaku (8), Haaland (9), Martinez (9)
Vice-captain: De Bruyne or Lautaro
Captain: Erling Haaland
